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From left: Minister for Communications, Works and
Infrastructure the Hon. Arden McLean; Assistant
Director (Research) of the Department of the
Environment Tim Austin; Orth-Rogers consultants
Tony Ayala and Steve Bolt; Lands and Survey
Department’s Chief Surveyor Grant Vincent. |
The Ministry of Communications, Works and Infrastructure, in conjunction with government departments, authorities, and an overseas consultant, is entering into a multi-agency approach to reduce the inland flooding which has commonly occurred in certain Savannah subdivisions.
A meeting regarding the flooding problem on 15 March involved the ministry; the National Roads and Water authorities; the Environment, Planning, and Lands and Survey departments; the Mosquito Research Control Unit; and representatives from Orth Rodgers & Associates, a Pennsylvania-based engineering consultant firm.
Government has given high priority to the project, said the Minister, the Hon. Mr. Arden McLean, who attended the meeting. “There is a cross-ministry responsibility here, and a major mandate from the people to find a solution,” he noted. The flooding is caused when storm surge breaks through low spots in the coastal ironshore area, commonly referred to as “the gully.”
The water then flows and settles inland, primarily in the Savannah Acres, Butterfly Circle and Savannah Meadows subdivisions. Because the flooding can make the main road impassable, it also causes major inconveniences for residents of the eastern districts.
During the meeting, Orth-Rogers Principal Steve Bolt outlined the six-stage project development proposal. He noted it would take up to three months to complete and would involve public consultation during several stages.
To begin the process, the consultants, National Roads Authority (NRA) staff, government officials and other key persons will host “visioning” meetings, inviting the public’s input into possible solutions to the flooding problem.
These meetings will take place next month. Government and authority officers will gather existing engineering data for the consultants to analyse. The consultants then will develop prospective solutions, evaluating their potential impacts and costs, and present those findings for government approval.
Results of the process would lead to the development of preliminary final plans for a flood mitigation project. During their week-day visit, Mr Bolt and Orth-Rogers consultant Tony Ayala also toured affected areas with the NRA and ministry officials, and visited other departments and authorities.
