UKCIF Funds to rehabilitate Road Networks in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica
Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica are the first countries to access funding from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF), as the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) have approved a grant of GBP186,000 to assist Antigua and Barbuda in the rehabilitation of its road network. A grant of GBP794,000 was also approved to assist Dominica with post-Tropical Storm Erika recovery efforts.
“The road networks of Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica, play a fundamental role in the promotion of inclusive growth and sustainable development. The passage of Tropical Storm Erika in Dominica clearly illustrated the threats that are posed by the impacts of climate change related events on road infrastructure. We are pleased that this grant funding is available to facilitate the development of a more sustainable and climate-resilient approach to the design, construction and maintenance of our road networks.” said Andrew Dupigny, Head, Infrastructure Partnerships at CDB.
The Antigua and Barbuda grant will assist the Government in conducting a feasibility study, as well as the preparation of design specifications and bidding documents for the rehabilitation of eight road corridors, amounting to 49.2 miles of road network. Particular attention will be paid to possible future effects of climate change, which could have wide-ranging impacts on the country’s roads – including damage due to flooding; overloading of the existing drainage systems and damage to street infrastructure.
The study will also consider the capacity of the existing road network to accommodate increasing traffic flows, as well as support standards, guidelines and systems to manage and implement road maintenance, rehabilitation and construction activities effectively.
In Dominica, the funds will be used to prepare a feasibility study and detailed designs for the rehabilitation of the Loubiere to Bagatelle Road. This stretch of road is the primary link between the capital city, Roseau, and the southern communities of Bellevue Chopin, Pichelin, Grand Bay, Bagatelle and Fond St. Jean. The study will also consider, among other things, rock fall protection systems, slope stabilisation, replacement and rehabilitation of bridges, culverts and river training for the respective river crossings which intersect the road.
A road safety assessment on the entire road network will also be carried out. This assessment will inform infrastructure investments, to determine those that will have the greatest impact on reducing road fatalities and injuries.
The funds are being provided through the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF), which became operational earlier this year, and provides grant financing to eight Caribbean countries eligible for Overseas Development Assistance, and UK Overseas Territory, Montserrat.
This technical assistance intervention is consistent with CDB’s strategic objective of promoting broad-based economic growth and inclusive social development within its Borrowing Member Countries; and CDB’s corporate priority of strengthening and modernising social and economic infrastructure.
