Works on the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex are “moving ahead at a reasonable pace,” according to Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye Rymer.

The contract to replace the roof was awarded to Professional Roofing for $1,349,304, Mr. Rymer said while giving updates on his ministry during the Dec. 19 House of Assembly meeting.

All materials were on site, he added, and cleaning and roof preparation were 80 percent completed.

Meanwhile, he said, a $380,600 contract to replace the skylight was awarded to Western Glass Suppliers.

He also said frames were ordered on Dec. 5 and expected to arrive in six weeks, and that glasses were ordered on the same date and expected to arrive in eight weeks. Related demolition, he said, would occur one week prior to the arrival of the frames.

Bids were also invited for a contract to procure and install impact-resistant doors, frames and windows, according to the minister. Twelve bids were submitted, and they were opened on Nov. 26. Eight were evaluated on Nov. 29, and a recommendation was scheduled to be forwarded to the tender board by the end of December, the minister said.

He added that in order for government to secure a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank for the project it had to engage a third-party consultant for the “engineering, architectural design, construction supervision and contract management for the rehabilitation of the complex.”

Mr. Rymer said OBMI was the preferred bidder, but government was negotiating to lower the cost by “revisiting the scope of work.”

He added that the revised proposal was sent back to the Procurement Unit for board approval, and would be submitted to Cabinet once it is approved.

Mr. Rymer also detailed works to repair fire stations throughout the territory.

Fire stations

He said the station in Cappoons Bay was near completion, and contracts had been drafted and contractors selected for stations in Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada.

In Road Town, the first phase of the works on the fire station is complete and the second phase on the barracks is expected to commence in the first quarter of this year, he said.

The East End/Long Look station was also near completion, with new roofs, a new floor, fresh paint inside and outside, a new air conditioner unit and a new floor unit, according to the minister.

Water in Sea Cows

Mr. Rymer also said works have commenced on a project that would “dramatically improve” the water supply to residences and businesses in Sea Cows Bay.

The existing works have already improved the water supply, he said, and residents who previously only received water from 4-10 a.m. now receive it from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day because of repairs to reservoir leaks. He noted that residents living about 150 feet above sea level or higher still do not have public water, but that he expected the issue to be resolved soon through the implementation of a small booster station.

He went on to say that the process of repairing the leaks has given the TWU Ministry a better idea of the water demand for the area, and said the ministry would proceed to deliver water across Ridge Road as a “second phase” which will commence as soon as the pump to Long Trench and Diamond Estate is completed.

The works had suffered delays because of a lack of materials in stock, he said, but he added that he was expecting more materials to arrive by the end of December and for the works to be completed by the end of this week.

Roadwork

Turning to roads damaged by the 2017 storms, the minister said the Nail Bay road project on Virgin Gorda had started with “works moving along as expected;” works on the road in the McNamara area were 50 percent completed; and contracts for Elevator Hill had been awarded, with works expected to start soon.

The works to erect a barrier to prevent concrete trucks from ascending the Elevator Hill road had started, and the works on the roads and drainage on Shepard Road were about 80 percent completed, he added.