MAJOR CONCERNS expressed by local engineers over the design and other aspects of the ABC Highway project were discussed yesterday during a top-level meeting with officials of the Ministry of Public Works and 3S (Barbados) SRL, the major contractor.

A joint statement from the ministry and the contractors after the meeting, chaired by Chief Technical Officer Frank Thornhill and president of the Barbados Association of Professional Engineers (BAPE), Roger Blackman, questioned the level of openness regarding the project and posed several questions.

BAPE had essentially given the highway expansion project a failing grade, saying the multimillion-dollar project had fallen short in six major areas and called for measures to remedy the situation.

The joint statement said the ministry and 3S stressed that the work on the project had been undertaken by leading design firms with extremely well-qualified staff in Barbados and North America.

"The detailed road design, including the associated drainage work, has been carried out by Stantec Consulting, a well-established and respected professional engineering firm in Barbados, in conjunction with its offices in the United States and Canada where it is one of the largest and most respected engineering firms," the statement added.

"As part of its work, Stantec had significant input on the environmental impact study, considering the effects of the drainage system.

"Richard Gill & Associates, another local firm, undertook the environmental impact assessment (EIA)and produced the overall study report for the Chief Town Planner.

"This EIA also included the sound study that analysed the noise impact of the various design alternatives."

Thornhill said all construction drawings would be made public at upcoming town hall meetings.

The meeting also dealt with each technical concern raised by BAPE earlier this week in the media: hydroplaning, the splitter islands at The Belle intersection, lighting fixtures, the jersey barriers and temporary lighting during construction.

The statement said these features, which were all being carried out in accordance with international engineering codes, were thoroughly explained by the representatives of the ministry and 3S in relation to the Barbados Road Network Infrastructure Project.

It added that BAPE promised to issue a follow-up Press statement regarding the outcome of the meeting. (PR/AB)