Dear Editor,
A clarion appeal is being made to the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Local Government Minister, Respective Mayors, RDC Chairpersons and Engineers to revisit and amend the way roads in Guyana are constructed and maintained.It will certainly give tax-payers value for that share of the $15 billion budgetary allocation for infrastructural development and maintenance of roads.
Our road surfaces are mostly flat, without a gradient or slope towards the edges. In other words, our road surfaces appear to be the same levels in the middle and corners, as against higher in the middle and usage area while lower at the corners.
Road inclination (gradient) is the change of Y over X, where X is horizontal to Y.
I am no expert in this field, but over the years there have been several negative factors associated with the state of our roads often ranging from underperformance to loss of lives.
Common sense therefore tells me that we need to revisit how our roads are constructed and maintained.
Flat road surfaces do not allow water to run off with ease. It results in water stagnation, non-friction, erosion and the lists goes on.
The development of potholes are directing related to how flat a road’s surface is, compounded in many instances by poor preparation, substandard material quality or composition in the construction stages.
Water lodging on road surfaces can be ignominious for pedestrians. They are often victims of inconsiderate or oblivious motorists who speed through lodging pools of water, drenching them in the process.
Water lodging on road surfaces is also a recipe for road accidents due to slippages, hydroplaning and general poor judgments that invariably result in material damages or loss of lives.
The message is clear and noteworthy for those relevant entities and authorities to appreciate the need for improvement and changes in the way our roads are constructed. Due prudence should be required when considering designs, awarding contracts, and through each stage of road projects’ lifecycles.
Regards
Orette Cutting (Mr.)