THE Ministry of Housing and Water under the Community Roads Improvement Programme (CRIP) has announced that construction of Dr. Miller Street in Beterverwagting on the East Coast Demerara is expected to be completed by month-end, effectively improving the commute for residents and commercial entities.According to Karen Roopchand, Project Coordinator of CRIP, works on the road will conclude before the end of March. She explained that the works remaining include “improving the shoulders, de-silting the drains and completing the carriageway.”

Roopchand said that “CRIP is monitoring the project in keeping with the criteria set out in the contract and as per the Bill of Quantities.” She stressed that on completion of the Dr Miller Street, residents will benefit a great deal from the all-weather road. “When the road is completed commuters will benefit from an asphaltic concrete surface,” she said.

“Although, the road is in the construction phase, benefits of smoother travel and reduced cost attached to maintenance of vehicles are being felt,” according to Charles Lamb, proprietor of Lamb’s Chowmein during a recent interaction with the Ministry of Housing and Water Community Roads Improvement Programme (CRIP).

According to Lamb, the construction works when completed will be in keeping with the standards of CRIP. “I am confident that the road when completed would be of good standard owing to CRIP’s reputation of delivering quality roads,” he said.

He also explained that even though the roads are not completed thus far, the works that have been completed so far has improved the conditions by substantially reducing craters and potholes. Lamb further stated that the project is good for the community and he is pleased.

The Beterverwagting/Triumph Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), which is in possession of a copy of the Bill of Quantities, is also monitoring the project closely. Chairman of the NDC, Bruce Adams constantly visits the project site and interacts with residents.

Adams during a recent interview emphasised that the road when completed will be beneficial to the community since it is heavily traversed. He noted that construction of the road needs to be of high quality since a lot of heavy duty vehicles traverse the stretch daily.

The Chairman said that he observed the contractor excavating an old culvert and installing a new one which was necessary to help improve drainage. He would like the project to conclude soon so that residents could begin utilising an enhanced roadway.
By Rebecca Ganesh