Africa-Press – Mauritius. The new footbridge near Nicolay Bridge along Port-Louis-Central Flacq Road (A2) at St Croix was inaugurated, today, by the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Georges Pierre Lesjongard, and the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mr Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram, in presence of Member of Parliament (MP), Mrs Joanne Tour, and the Lord Mayor of Port Louis, Mr Mahfooz Moussa Cader Saib.
In a statement, Minister Lesjongard, expressed satisfaction as regard the construction of the footbridge and his thanks to the inhabitants, the RDA and all those who have contributed to the realisation of the project.
The footbridge constructed to the tune of Rs 17 million over a stretch of 125 metres will bring relief to the inhabitants and decrease risks of accidents for road users, he affirmed.
Other upcoming projects in the region include a MUGA Facility at St Croix; a hall at the Abercrombie Market Fair; and the rehabilitation of the Bienheureux Père Laval Stadium, he added. For his part, Minister Hurreeram recalled that the Nicolay Bridge also known as Lataniers Bridge was built in 1932.
The absence of footpath along the bridge, he pointed out, represented a potential hazard for pedestrians as well as for the devotees during the Maha Shivaratree and Père Laval pilgrimages.
In view to ensuring the safety of the population, he underlined, Government invested in the construction of this new bridge which is 28 metres long and 12 metres wide, and includes the 4 metres footpath.
According to Minister Hurreeram, the historical aspects of the bridge have been preserved as per international standards. The bridge is equipped with solar street lighting and will have improved hydraulic capacity, he added.
Ministers Lesjongard and Hurreeram along with MP Tour, Lord Mayor Cader Saib and the representatives of the RDA, also effected site visits at the at the junction of Vallée des Prêtres and the Integrated Multipurpose Complex in St Croix.
As part of Government’s Road Decongestion Programme, construction works to the tune of Rs 36 million which will span over 300 metres are being undertaken at B32/B143 junction at Vallée des Prêtres.
The project comprises construction of a slip lane from Bernardin de St Pierre Street to Military Road and a bus layby, as well as the extension of the bridge on Route des Pamplemousses at Canal Anglais by 4.8 metres.
Street lighting and the construction of storm drain and footpath are also included in this infrastructure work. With regard to the Integrated Multipurpose Complex in St Croix (ex Phoenix Beverages Group warehouse), the project is a joint collaboration of the public and the private sector.
It is recalled that the warehouse was abandoned and Phoenix Beverages Group agreed to offer those 1.25 arpent of land to the Ministry of National Infrastructure and Community Development for the multipurpose complex project which will benefit the inhabitants.
The complex estimated to cost some Rs 7 million will comprise a judo hall, a volleyball pitch, an outdoor gym, a children playground, a health track and a community garden
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