The infrastructure minister made mention of the Kuwaiti-funded Choc/Gros Islet Highway, the east coast highway, and the reconstruction of the Millennium Highway to Cul de Sac.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre, speaking in parliament during the first round of the budget debate last Thursday, congratulated Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony for successfully managing Saint Lucia’s economy.
“Dr. Anthony has managed the economy well, resulting in growth in all sectors, with increased manufacturing output, and agricultural output up by 35 percent,” he said.
There were double-digit performance increases in other sub sectors. Exports, tourism, as well as construction in both the private and public sectors showed growth.
“The economy has not stagnated and performance reports were good,” he said.
The minister outlined several infrastructure projects that will boost the island’s economy – from the Kuwaiti-funded Choc/Gros Islet Highway, the east coast highway, and the reconstruction of the Millennium Highway to Cul de Sac.
“Plans for the north-south link road are in the consultancy stage, with a final report due by June 30,” he said. “The link road project will be financed with a grant from the UK government.”
Minister Pierre also revealed that over 38 kilometers of agriculture feeder roads, also to be financed by Kuwait, have been identified for rehabilitation.
The Sulphur Springs road is now completely rehabilitated; construction on the Canaries and Tomazo bridges will start soon; while an agreement was just signed for a new bridge at Piaye and a new road in Anse La Raye.
For the Choc Bridge, properties are being assessed for acquisition for the widening of the highway.
The transaction timeline for the Hewanorra International Airport project is in place, he added, with a contract to be signed by February 2017. Currently, Saint Lucia has seen interest from three international bidders, all major investors with years of experience in airport building.
