Residents can expect the long-delayed Hodges Creek road project to be completed by April, Chief of Infrastructure Development Duane Fraites has said.
Fraites gave the update during a recent community meeting, where he acknowledged the protracted timeline and outlined additional works now folded into the project.
“We expect the road project; we are going to be doing some additional works separate to what was initially contracted. So when you include the additional works, we expect everything to be completed by April,” Fraites told residents.
The Hodges Creek to Paraquita Bay road has faced extensive delays since its start more than a year ago, drawing public concern over cost overruns, incomplete paving and drainage challenges. Sections of the roadway have remained unpaved for months, particularly near Alphonso Apartments and other low-lying areas affected by sewage and sediment runoff.
Fraites explained that once work commenced, further deficiencies were identified, prompting an expanded scope. “After we started the project, we realised that we had some major challenges with a lot of the side roads,” he said.
He pointed to persistent drainage issues and sediment flow affecting nearby streets, including the road leading to the reservoir. “That road has a challenge, a lot of severe undermining, as well as we want to put in some drainage, few drains and so forth to really help,” Fraites added.
According to Fraites, contractors are presently working on sidewalks from Hodges Creek Marina towards the Chalwells, while a previously unpaved section delayed by material procurement for sewage connections has now been completed and is set to be paved.
He noted that asphalt paving of the full stretch — approximately 3,900 to 4,000 feet — is pending the restoration of the territory’s asphalt plant. “Once that is up, then we’ll be able to asphalt that section of road,” he said.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley underscored that the immediate objective is a usable roadway. “My instructions to them is to have something that’s drivable,” he said.
Fraites also highlighted underground utility preparations, including the installation of multiple polymer concrete chambers to facilitate electrical conduits, and confirmed that concrete sections in hilly areas would remain to address water runoff concerns.
With sewage infrastructure in Long Swamp and Paraquita Bay also nearing commissioning, officials stressed the importance of household connections to prevent wastewater from damaging newly paved surfaces.
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