THE drainage and irrigation system of Newtown, Kitty is slated for major upgrade in the coming weeks, as the Ministry of Public Infrastructure embarks on a new project to repair and replace culverts in the area.

Slated to begin next week, the project is expected to last five weeks. Its first phase, expected to cost $13.7M, entails the clearing and desilting of several drains throughout the Newtown area, along with the clearing of alleyways.

Community Coordinator of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Neilson McKenzie, has said that two culverts have already been identified for repair and/or replacement. The Lamaha Canal, which serves as the main drainage system for Georgetown, will receive particular attention, McKenzie said;
and it is entirely possible that more culverts will be identified, as works begin and the extent of damage is ascertained.

McKenzie stressed that the first phase of the project will cover critical intervention to lend to the improved efficiency of drainage.

“In living memory, no critical intervention has occurred in the Newtown area to alleviate drainage issues,” McKenzie said, adding that the area is susceptible to flooding and other drainage-related issues.

The second phase of the project, scheduled for early 2017, would see rehabilitative road works being executed along D’Andrade Street, to lend to improved drainage. Additional drainage works are also expected to be completed in phase 2.

The works have been contracted to R&B Investment.

Meanwhile, it is also hoped that works are to be executed in drains close to the St. Winefride’s Secondary School, to improve drainage and alleviate unsanitary conditions. McKenzie shared that one expected hiccup would be gaining the cooperation of the area’s residents in accommodating the extensive works. However, he said that some residents have already indicated their willingness to cooperate, and he sees this as a welcome and promising sign.

Streets that would benefit from this intervention include D’Andrade, D’Abreu, Lamaha and Duncan.