Errors found in $79-m Falmouth project

Richard Morals, Gleaner Writer

Falmouth, Trelawny:Falmouth's Mayor Garth Wilkinson has admitted that serious mistakes were made in the cross-drain construction aspect of the $79-m Cornwall Street road-rehabilitation project in the Trelawny parish capital.

"It is true … . There were a number of cross drains that were a bit steep," admitted Wilkinson. "The section of drain between Cornwall Street and Kings Street were the worst of them as cars could hardly traverse them."

As a result of complaints from motorists, the mayor said the parish council had no choice but to carry out corrective work, which included digging up the steep layers and replacing them with gentler slopes.

While the road situation has been addressed, there remains a concern about the supporting drains, which some road users think should be relaid as they pose a threat to the safe use of the road. The mayor has promised to look into that complaint.

While the corrective work, which has already been done, will benefit them, some residents of the resort town are somewhat peeved about the lack of proper planning, which has resulted in double spending from the parish council's limited resources.

NO EXTRA COST

"There will be no extra cost to the taxpayers … . There will be no overrun," said Wilkinson. "The total cost of the project is $79 million, and I want to emphasise that there will be no additional spending. The additional work did not even reach the contingency money."

As a result of recent developments in Falmouth., including the construction of a multimillion-dollar shipping pier, major changes have been made to prevent congestion. Duke and Cornwall streets were transformed into one-way thoroughfares.

The Water Square area, which was once the centre of the town's commercial life and featured dual-way traffic, was reconfigured and is now a pedestrianised area, featuring seating and a waterfall as its main attraction