Ministry of Works & Engineering - Post National Budget Statement
26 February 2010 | Minister Derrick Burgess
Good afternoon:
I begin by thanking and congratulating the Minister of Finance for yet another masterful Budget, one that meets the needs of the community whilst recognizing the challenging economic times that confront us both locally and globally.
The people of Bermuda need to understand that difficult decisions, including real sacrifice, will have to be made as we continue to grow and thrive as a community.
I can assure the people of Bermuda that the funds allocated to the Ministry of Works and Engineering for fiscal 2010/11 will be expended carefully, efficiently and effectively as the Ministry fulfils its important obligations to our community.
I shall touch upon a few important Ministry initiatives during fiscal 2010/1:
• In terms of capital projects, the new fiscal year will see the completion of the Magistrates’ Court/Hamilton Police Station construction project. Work will continue on the establishment of a critically important third incineration stream at Tynes Bay Waste-to-Energy Facility and geotechnical studies will be ongoing with respect to the construction of a structure that will eventually replace the Causeway. In the meantime, every measure will be taken to ensure the safety of the existing Causeway.
• The phased and managed repaving of the Island’s roads will continue. Asphalt chip road surfacing will be applied on certain of our roads as a measure to create traffic calming, a means whereby speed is reduced by the creation of a rougher surface that compels motorists to proceed more slowly. The rougher surface will also allow for better handling of vehicles on the roads.
• Also, at identified pedestrian crossings throughout the Island -- some at schools and others on roadways that regularly experience very heavy traffic volumes – we will be installing flashing amber beacons in a further effort to enhance safety on our roads. These beacons will remind motorists to exercise extreme caution when approaching pedestrian crossings.
• The Government takes very seriously its responsibility to make provision for the Island’s physically challenged population. During the year ahead, the Ministry of Works and Engineering will establish wheelchair access ramps at three public beaches in the Island – Clearwater Beach in St. David’s, Shelly Bay Beach in Hamilton Parish and Long Bay in Somerset. Our wheelchair users will now be able to reach the beach without the difficulty normally associated with moving through heavy sand. Two Mobi-Chairs [floating beach wheelchairs] will be at each of these beaches.
• The Government will construct a new veteran’s memorial honouring those Bermudians who served in the two World wars, including those who served on the home front. In the past the service of these individuals was not properly recognized and honoured. This beautiful memorial will be located on the grounds of the Cabinet building, near the corner of Front Street and Court Street, and will include five marble plaques engraved with the names of the approximately 2000 men and women of Bermuda who served in the wars.
• The Structures Section will concentrate on the design development of a number of projects, including the flood control structure at Mills Creek and inspections and prioritization of refurbishment works for the Island’s major bridges and docks.
Thank you.
