Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing assesses damage to pavement on Coastal Plains Highway

Posted: Monday, June 17, 2024. 11:23 am CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH) issued a statement advising of the advises damage to the pavement structure on the Coastal Plains Highway around Km 27.78 (mile 17.5) as a result of heavy rainfall and associated flooding over the weekend.

“From our initial assessment, a box culvert measuring 3.0m x 1.5m was overtopped as a result of backwater from Soldier Creek located approximately 180m away, due to blockage of the Creek and deforestation caused by the recent wildfires which increased the catchment areas surrounding that particular culvert,” MIDH noted.

MIDH informed that its Road Maintenance Unit of the MIDH, along with the Contractor, has been mobilized to execute clean up and minor restoration works of the pavement.

In addition, the MIDH is conducting further assessment of the area to determine any additional contributing factors that forced run-off away from the intended Soldier Creek.

As can be seen from footage, erosion protection measures in the form of gabion baskets, are present at the inlet and outlet of the culvert, that was not affected; which suggests that the rainfall intensity and flash flood conditions along with debris, greatly impacted the capacity of the culvert which was not designed to cope with such volumes of water. As a result, the culvert was overtopped and caused pavement erosion.

The MIDH will be providing further updates on the situation during the day and advises motorists to drive with caution as we conduct remedial works. Thanks for your patience.

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