SHARLENE RAMPERSAD
The commissioning of the Water Taxi Pedestrian Overpass is proof that the Government can deliver on their proposed revitalization project for Port of Spain.
This according to Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan.
Sinanan hit out at detractors of the revitalization project.
“This didn’t start two days ago. This was a vision the government had for the development of Port-of-Spain since 2015 and that is why the East Port-of-Spain development is about to kick off. It is not just a dream. It is a project that is ready to start and this project will tie into that because what this project will do is to bring that pedestrian interaction into the inner city. Now you can walk from end to end of the Brian Lara Promenade. You can cross the street, you can to the breakfast shed, you can go to the Water Taxi to Tobago,” Sinanan said.
The brand new walkover, which Sinanan boasted is one of the most modern in the Caribbean, can accommodate the differently-abled with elevators and wheelchair ramps. It was built by RJB Limited at a cost of $13.9 million.
He said the project was delivered ten months behind schedule but said he made a decision to allow the contractor to continue the project rather than have it re-tendered.
“My choice then on the delay was fire the contractor, increase the budget and have it done in time for the general election. My philosophy is that you can’t run a country from election to election and we decided to stick with the contractor, work with the contractor and I am happy that although there was a delay in the project, the project came in within budget and what we present to the public is a first-class walkover that can compete with any walkover in any part of the world.”
He urged citizens to make use of the walkover and stop risking their lives to run across the busy highway.
