For more than two decades, people have suggested building a North-South Link Road to help solve one of Saint Lucia’s biggest transportation problems: finding a better route between the two ends of the island without having to go through congested Castries.
The idea is still under discussion. But when will it actually become a real road?
Infrastructure Minister Shawn Edward says the project remains at the concept stage, although it is now a Government priority and has attracted interest from several companies willing to explore financing its construction.
St. Lucia Times questioned Edward about the project on the sidelines of Parliament on Tuesday, after he brought it up at a recent public meeting.
“The North-South link road is a concept that has been with government for some time now across administrations,” Edward said.
The planned road would give drivers a new route along the north-east side of the island, connecting Gros Islet to Dennery. This would allow people to travel between the north and south without going through Castries.
“This is basically highlighting a need for a better carriageway between the north and south of the island,” Edward explained.
“This would be one of the biggest capital projects to be undertaken by the government of Saint Lucia.”
The idea is not new. A North-South Link Road was examined as far back as 2001 and returned to the national conversation more prominently in the following decade. Later, a study funded by the Caribbean Development Bank was conducted to examine potential routes and assess whether the project could succeed.
Some of the benefits mentioned over the years include shorter travel times, less traffic in Castries, new economic opportunities in the north-east, and an additional route to travel between the north and south if other roads are blocked by natural disasters.
But turning that idea into asphalt has proven difficult.
The project was put on hold after earlier feasibility work found that construction costs would be extremely high. Environmental concerns were also raised due to the sensitive areas that a north-eastern route could pass through.
Edward’s latest comments suggest the Government is once again looking seriously at what it would take to build the road for which a few designs have been proposed.
“It is still at the concept phase,” he said. “As I indicated, a number of companies have come forward saying that they are interested; they can mobilise resources to get this project going. It is something that we are considering.”
Edward told St. Lucia Times he has met with representatives of about four or five companies, while the Government has received correspondence from others working with local interests.
What happens next will mostly depend on how the project is funded and which proposal the Government chooses.
“It is on the priority list for our government and for the Ministry of Infrastructure,” Edward said. “I’m hoping that maybe in a few months, I’ll be in a position to make a more definitive statement in terms of how we plan to move forward, the financing modality to be considered and things of that sort.”
When asked if Saint Lucians could expect real progress during the current term, Edward did not give a timeline: “As time evolves, I’ll be in a position to make a more definitive statement.”
