THE recent bad weather has caused the temporary closure of the roadway along the SS Erin Road, near Syne Villlage, Siparia.
The Ministry of Works and Transport in a press release on Sunday stated that due to the road’s rapid failure, works will be accelerated.
The ministry stated, “This adverse weather has continued to exacerbate the pre-existing condition and presently, approximately 85% of the road width is affected, making that section of the roadway hazardous to the road users. Motorists are advised to please proceed with extreme caution and observe all directional signs and barriers.”
Work had begun on August 10 and single lane traffic was maintained with planned work to begin on Wednesday but following the heavy rainfall on Sunday, work was expected to begin on Monday.
Following this, geotechnical investigations will be completed in order to determine the permanent solution and to fully restore the roadway, the ministry stated.
And the ministry apologised for the inconvenience caused.
Same in Tobago
The Bloody Bay to Roxborough Link Road is also closed due to a landslide on Sunday.
The Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment in press release stated that it was working with the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service to clear the roadway in the shortest possible time.
The division stated, “All motorists and pedestrians accessing this area are asked to utilise alternative routes. Drivers coming from West are asked to utilise the northside road and drivers coming from the eastern part of the island are asked to utilise the Charlotteville Link Road.”
The Division also apologised for the inconvenience.
Fix the Caroni River Bank
And, Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West Dinesh Rambally again voiced concerns over the Caroni River and its threat during the rainy season to nearby residents.
He made a suggestion via a Facebook video on Sunday as he met with residents.
Rambally said that the water was eroding the river bank more on the left hand side. He said, the river bank spans nearly 10-15 feet in width and the height of the river bank was 10-15 feet as well.
With erosion of the river bank, this can lead to serious flooding and devastation in the community, the MP said.
The Member of Parliament explained that if the river bank was compromised at any point in time, it has tapered down to maybe two to three feet at most and will lead to some serious flooding devastation in La Paille Village, La Paille Settlement area.
Rambally said, “I will again be communicating with the Minister of Works and Transport with a view to determine straightening this flow of the river. The material that is excavated on the right-hand side of the river bank, we can take it and put it on this side (the left side) and then embank it. Hopefully that is one of the solutions we can look at as a starting point.”
