Trinidad and Tobago is in the midst of a significant upgrade being undertaken by the Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) as it seeks to bring its national roadbuilding infrastructure programme up to speed and help strengthen the country's social and economic fabric.
Alongside what will eventually be a $2 billion investment, the Ministry is also planning to launch a new National Transportation Plan, one which has yet to be updated since 1967.
While the country's infrastructure has aged, rapid growth has led to congested highways and long commutes. Climate change now poses new problems, such as the frequency of flooding. So, the need to tackle these multi-dimensional challenges is now imperative for the island nation to thrive in the mid-21st century.
Operational overview
2024 will prove to be a pivotal moment for Trinidad for many reasons, not least the MOWT's ambitions to spearhead many projects to better connect communities, reduce travel times and, significantly, congestion on some of the country's traffic-choked roads.
Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan described 2023 as a "phenomenal" year after 600 road infrastructure projects were completed, but 2024 promised to be a game-changer.
"We anticipate another 600 projects for the upcoming year until we can reach a point where every road in Trinidad that needs to be rehabilitated is up to the standard we want to accept," he said. This year, his Department has earmarked 11 traffic alleviation projects around the country.
The three primary pillars that guide its work are the buildout of its major highway, an upgrade of the primary and secondary road network, and the execution of traffic alleviation initiatives, such as road rehabilitation, slope stabilization, traffic management, landslip and bridge repairs and construction.
The continuing road improvement programme is also a critical pillar of the country's National Development Strategy, a comprehensive national development planning framework that seeks to lay the foundations for attaining developed country status by 2030.
Major projects
Valencia to Toco Highway
The upgrade of the Valencia-Toco Highway is a key component in stimulating new industrial, residential, and commercial development in the entire Northeast region of Trinidad.
The Valencia Main Road was identified as a key segment in the road network linking the village of Valencia to the proposed Toco Highway and the CRHEM Highway via Ojoe to ensure greater connectivity and increased capacity. It is also a vital access road to Trinidad's northeast coast, servicing the communities of Matura, Salybia, Rampanalgas, Cumana, Sans Souci, Grande Riviere, Paria and Matelot.
In conjunction with the proposed construction of a new fast ferry port in Toco, the road upgrade will provide a faster alternative sea route to and from Tobago from East Trinidad. It will also reduce travel time, improve sight distances, and increase opportunities for economic growth.
The Valencia-Toco Road upgrade consisted of eight work packages, undertaken in two phases of 12.4 km and costing an estimated $196 million.
Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension to Point Fortin
One of the longest-running projects was the completion of the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension to Point Fortin (SHHEPF) project. The current project priorities included completing the northern link from Dumfries intersection to Dunlop Roundabout with a connection from Mon Desir Interchange back to Fyzabad Road. This link involved the completion of 30km of highway and improved connectivity along the SHHEPF mainline.
Mr Sinanan said it was a project the country should feel proud of and "a great achievement" as it was one of the last on the 1967 National Transportation Plan. The route will enable a drive from San Fernando to Point Fortin within 20 minutes, which otherwise would have taken 90 minutes.
Golden Grove Road Bridge
The commissioning of the Golden Grove Road Bridge in early 2023 underscored the nation's commitment to improving road infrastructure and traffic management nationwide.
Golden Grove Road is a critical artery that serves as an access point for commuters to the Churchill Roosevelt Highway, the Eastern Main Road in Arouca, and the Piarco International Airport. The Golden Grove Road Bridge has ultimately improved connectivity and optimized safety for drivers and pedestrians.
The successful completion of the project led to the introduction of two lanes over the bridge, enabling safer and more efficient movement of traffic, optimized safety for travellers on foot with a pedestrian sidewalk and an increased bridge span capacity to accommodate larger volumes of water during heavy rainfall to mitigate flooding.
Morvant to Maritime Roundabout
This was one of hundreds of projects undertaken by the Programme for Upgrading Roads Efficiency (PURE.) Unit. It spans from Lady Young Avenue, off Lady Young Road, to the Maritime Roundabout. The works included bridge reconstruction, traffic lane rehabilitation, widening intersections, and installation of drainage channels.
Three bridges in Toco
Three bridges were commissioned along the Toco Main Road in 2023. These included B1/22 (Breakfast River Bridge), B 1/1 (Galera Bridge) and B1/24 (Cumana Bridge). These newly constructed bridges will improve connectivity for commuters travelling to and from Grand Toco, Grande Riviere, Sans Souci, Matelot and surrounding areas. The improvement in accessibility has enhanced safety, mobility and the quality of life for residents, motorists and pedestrians.
Other projects
The Ministry also honed in on various other projects in 2023. These included the Archal Dilon highway and the Digo Martin Westmoorings Interchange. Under the Bridges reconstruction program phase, designs for 12 out of 14 bridges were completed, while construction was underway on nine. The landslip repair program is making strides, with designs finalized for 32 out of 33 landslips and construction ongoing on 18 of these structures.
Projects primed for 2024
Some of the biggest projects in 2024 will include the Cuto to Sangra Grande Highway, which will see the construction of a connector road to the Eastern Main Road.
Additionally, work is far advanced on rebuilding the Manzanilla-Mayara road, a major thoroughfare for commuters and motorists in the Eastern region.
By employing environmentally friendly and innovative solutions, the Ministry is producing bitumen-stabilized material using reclaimed and recycled asphalt pavements sourced from its stockpiles. Through this process, the PURE unit is developing durable infrastructure at a 30% reduced cost.
The Ministry is tackling traffic congestion through a suite of projects. These include the O'Meara Road upgrade project, the Churchill Roosevelt Highway widening, the Tumpuna Road network upgrade, the Sangre Grande traffic circulation improvements, the Endeavor Interchange upgrade, the Monroe Road Interchange upgrade, the Solomon Hochoy Highway Chaguanas to Chase Village project, the Maraval Access Project, and the San Fernando bypass Turuba Link Road.
It is also taking a multi-faceted approach to drainage projects, with 600 desilting projects achieved in 2023.
Mr Sinanan said one of the Government's goals was to ensure that no city or town was more than a 30-minute drive away from the other. "Our mandate is to ensure that connectivity is maintained around the country."
New Transportation Plan
Mr Sinanan said the country's infrastructure had aged, and given that Trinidad's last comprehensive transportation plan was completed in 1967, the time had come for a new plan because of expansive development throughout the country.
MOWT will approach it on a phased basis by developing a National Transportation Policy. The Government has partnered with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean to begin drafting the policy, and a consultant has also been retained.
He said the policy will address the unique aspects of land, sea, and air transportation networks, prepare strategic guidelines, create a precise road map covering the next five years, and prioritize projects, among other purposes.
Looking Forward
Looking to the horizon, the Ministry of Works and Transport's bold endeavors in Trinidad & Tobago ignite a spark of hope and anticipation for a brighter, more exhilarating future. As roads and transportation systems undergo a profound transformation, they become not just conduits of travel but vibrant arteries pulsating with the promise of prosperity and progress. These visionary projects herald an era where every journey is a step closer to economic growth, sustainable development, and boundless opportunities for all.
In the tapestry of Trinidad & Tobago's landscape, the Ministry of Works and Transport weaves threads of optimism and excitement, painting a portrait of a nation on the cusp of remarkable transformation. Beyond bricks and mortar, these initiatives symbolize the forging of pathways to dreams fulfilled and aspirations realized. With each upgraded road and enhanced infrastructure, a chorus of hope resonates, echoing the belief that every citizen, regardless of background or circumstance, is destined for a future brimming with possibility and prosperity
MINISTRY OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT -BE Infrastructure Magazine 2024.pdf
