M1 Tasker Road Breaks Away

By Sue-Ann Wayow

A LARGE section of the M1 Tasker Road en route between Princes Town and San Fernando is currently closed to the public.

Part of the road between Usine Ste Madeleine and the Malgretoute WASA Station, Princes Town, broke away last week Monday.

The following morning, Sergeant Maharaj and Inspector Maharaj of the Ste Madeleine Police Station were assisting with redirection of traffic.

The Ministry of Works and Transport in a media release stated that the road was closed at the 4 km mark since September 27 until further notice but was aiming to complete repair works within two weeks.

Local government councillor for Corinth/Cedar Hill Shawn Premchand told AZP News that he was in contact with the Ministry of Works regarding repair works. 

The councillor said flooding could have contributed to the roads’ further dilapidation since many roads in the Princes Town region were in need of repair for some time.

This was confirmed by the ministry in the release.

It stated that the  road  broke away “as a result of a damaged drainage structure at the location due to heavy flooding associated with torrential rainfall.”

The ministry stated that it was pursuing emergency reconstruction at the culvert crossing. 

Premchand is advising motorists to use alternative routes via Ste Madeleine or through Cedar Hill to reach Princes Town. 

He said, “There is a road that is need of repair, the ministry is going to start to do patching on that road using milling material. That is the connector road between the M1 Tasker Road that comes out of the Cedar Hill Road that then goes unto the Manahambre Road.” 

Premchand added that the Ministry of Works has requested truck assistance from the Princes Town Regional Corporation to conduct the works.

In an update on the situation, he told AZP News that while work had begun, it was causing tremendous traffic on the main road affected as well as the alternative routes.

He said he requested that traffic wardens be placed at the Jordan Hill Presbyterian Primary School to assist school children during peak hours and other areas where traffic might be gridlocked.