Phase one of revamped Bartica stelling 35% completed
Works on the Bartica stelling are moving apace amidst challenges. Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson told GINA that phase one of the works is 35 percent completed. The Minister told GINA that work has been hindered due to the frequent changes of the tide which is preventing the contractors from working. “The men cannot work in the high tide; to date they have already installed the timber piles which have to be encased in concrete, so it’s just for them to start the casting which cannot be done during the tide,” Ferguson said.
She added that concrete works to the substructure and steel bending are ongoing.
The project which began last October is a multi-year one. However, phase one which is the substructure (base/underlying/supporting structure) is now expected to be finished by September 2017 after which works on the superstructure will commence, Ferguson pointed out.
The southern section of the stelling is to be demolished and reconstructed with support piles made of greenheart for the substructure and southern timber fender system to be completely redone, GINA said. The superstructure will house various government offices, commercial businesses, a passenger waiting area, canteen and staff offices.
The Minister said that when the government took office it inherited a deplorable stelling which was uncomfortable for persons travelling to the region.
“By virtue of the government pumping this amount of money into this project, means a lot. As a government, we sought to enhance this stelling because we don’t want to continue our tenure with dilapidated infrastructure. We want to ensure passengers are comfortable and safety is adhered to, so the enhancement of this stelling will definitely bring relief to the residents and those travelling,” Ferguson added.
The sum of $240M from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s $34.6 B, 2017 allocation is being spent on the project.