Oranjestad- Statia moves on from housing to road improvements with the signing of the contract for the Cherry Tree Road project today on November 26th 2018.

The project is awarded to Koop Caribbean KV – a joint venture between Koop International BV and Alvin Ricardo Courtar Construction NV. The road paving in the residential area ‘Cherry Tree’ to Oranjestad, St. Eustatius is part of the Program Reconstruction EUX 2017 – 2019 (Wederopbouw) in close cooperation with the Directorate of Economy and Infrastructure (E&I). On December 13th upcoming, a Town Hall meeting is scheduled about the entire Road Network Program, of which the paving of the 5 Cherry Tree roads is an important part as the pilot road project. The ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and of Infrastructure and Water Management is financing this important public project of Cherry Tree.

“Cherry Tree is a residential area in development for over a decade with the most rapid increase in private dwellings taking place in the last 4 to 6 years. The reason for starting in this area is the poor condition of unpaved roads. When it rains it is unsafe and virtually impossible to drive on dirt roads. Street lighting is also non existing in this area. Accessing this districts difficult for the emergency services and residents. It is common knowledge that unpaved roads cause a lot of dust, which is harmful to the health of the residents”, according to Mel Raboen de Sanchez Pacheco, Programme Manager Wederopbouw and confirmed by Austin van Heijningen and Winston Tearr, Project managers of the Cherry Tree Roads Project.

Cherry Tree

In order to put the obtained reconstruction budget to the best possible use it was decided to give priority to the accessibility of Cherry Tree. Paving these roads will also result in addressing with the worst drainage problems. It regards a total of approximately 1.2 km, including paved side paths facilitating the under grounding of cable and water pipelines, road lighting and a surface water drainage system. The following roads are included: Schroophard road (partially), Erick R. Gibbs road, William Plants road, Olive V. Patrick road and George F. Cruger road.

“The Public Entity of St. Eustatius supports an integral approach. Provisions for rainwater drainage and the eventual catchment will be put in place to mitigate further erosion. There is support among the stakeholders. Among them: STUCO, EUTEL and SECAR”, stated by Anthony Reid, interim director of E&I.

For more information contact: Anthony Reis (director.e.i@statiagov.com) or Mel Raboen de Sanchez Pacheco (mel.raboen@rijksdienstcn.com)