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| Photos of Fort Stret under repairs (Photos By Erasmus Williams) |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 14TH 2006 (CUOPM) Residents and visitors using Fort Street will be walking the busy Basseterre thoroughfare in more comfortable surroundings.
A facelift is being given to that portion of the towns center and the works should be completed in two weeks.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Posts, Mr. Oaklyn Peets said that the Government has undertaken to change the profile of Fort Street in Basseterre in collaboration with The Cable, the Water Department, the Electrcity Department, Cable and Wireless (St. Kitts and Nevis) Ltd and the private sector.
~~Adz:Right~~ The Ministry has decided to put in the underground infrastructure, replace old water conduits and provide the infrastructural accommodation for additions in the future. For example, telephone, electricity and cable will occupy the same underground trench and will cross the road at intervals exiting on the sidewalks thus to await future connections instead of having overhead wiring, said Mr. Peets in a statement.
He noted that Fort Street is indeed the main street in the central business district of Basseterre and is characterized by a buzz of activity night and day.
~~Adz:Left~~ The intervention of government is to excavate the entire stretch of road from the Royal Bank of Canada northward to the junction with Cayon Street. Successive layers of asphalt over the years have caused an increase in the level of the road and the steepness of drains on either side of the road, said Mr. Peets.
He said that Mr. Michael Morton of T.D.C Group of Companies has informed the Ministry that he was desirous of beautifying the immediate environs of his multi-storey complex now under renovation and suggested the participation of all stake holders along the Fort Street corridor.
A meeting was convened with all the stakeholders on November 6th to sensitize them to the plans of the Ministry and the concerns raised by TDC and they all expressed a desire to participate by contributing monetarily and otherwise.
~~Adz:Right~~The meeting recommended that Fort Street be outfitted with underground utility lines, paving stones and decorative lamps.
Although time was of the essence and posed a serious threat to completion of the exercise prior to Christmas, the meeting felt convinced that with proper planning and steadfastness of purpose it was achievable, said Peets.
