Motorists traveling the vital west coast road linking Castries to coastal communities are expressing growing frustration over the worsening road conditions, calling for immediate improvements. The road, which is currently undergoing rehabilitation by contractor NAMALCO, has become increasingly difficult to traverse, especially following weeks of heavy rainfall.
While the government has acknowledged citizens’ concerns, the pace of the rehabilitation project remains a contentious issue. Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire has assured the public that the administration is pressing the contractor to address the situation promptly.
Hilaire, addressing the outcry, attributed part of the delay to adverse weather conditions but emphasised the need for greater responsiveness from NAMALCO.
“We’ve had a lot of rain for the last couple of weeks, so the roads have deteriorated beyond expectation,” Hilaire said. “But we still need to take into account the welfare of commuters. As much as can be done must be done, and I believe we have said to NAMALCO that they need to do more to make sure commuters have an easier passage.”
Acknowledging that additional measures might increase costs for the contractor, Hilaire stressed the urgency of action. “It will cost them some money to make sure the road is more motorable, but they have to step up,” he added.
For many residents and commuters, the west coast road serves as a critical artery for travel and commerce. The deteriorating conditions have resulted in longer travel times, vehicle damage, and heightened safety concerns.
Motorists have voiced their frustrations, calling for temporary fixes to ease the daily strain while the larger rehabilitation project continues.
“The road is just unacceptable right now,” said one driver. “I understand construction takes time, but they need to at least patch the worst parts so we can drive safely.”
Hilaire revealed that Infrastructure Minister Stephenson King is expected to provide a detailed briefing to the government on the project’s status. This update will include the steps NAMALCO has taken to address the mounting concerns from commuters and what further actions will be demanded of the contractor.
The Deputy Prime Minister reassured citizens that the government is committed to ensuring their concerns are prioritised.
