The Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, proceeded, on Monday, with the inauguration of the La Vigie-La Brasserie-Beaux Songes Link Road (Phase 1). To the tune of some Rs 655 million, Phase 1 of the project starts from the Motorway at La Vigie, crosses the Phoenix Plaisance Road (A10) at 16eme Mille and ends on La Marie Road (B102) at La Marie.
Prime Minister Jugnauth underlined that the key aim of the overall project from La Vigie to Pierrefonds is to improve journey times between the West, Central and South regions of the country, including between Black River, the M1 Motorway and the SSR International Airport. He added that the project will also improve connectivity within and between the town of Curepipe where the main road network is currently fragmented and congested.
He stated that the new link road from La Vigie to Pierrefonds will therefore enable road users to bypass the towns of Curepipe, Vacoas, the region Jumbo Phoenix, Quatre Bornes, and Palma when going towards the West and vice-versa. Pilgrims who converge to-and-fro Grand Bassin during the Maha Shivaratri festival will also be able to use this new link road, he said.
He appealed to road users and drivers to be careful on the road and to abide by traffic laws at all times. He deplored that many road users adopt reckless and careless behaviours such as speeding, consumption of alcohol, intake of drugs and poor attitude on the road. He urged drivers not to exceed speed limits as speeding is a major factor in traffic deaths and injuries. He also spoke about the need to continuously sensitise the public and road users through road safety campaigns adding that Government is also investing massively in the upgrading of infrastructures, and tightening of laws in a bid to curb road fatalities.
The three phases of the project
The first phase of the project consists of the construction of 6.5 km single carriageway 7.0 m wide with 1.5 m shoulders on both sides of flexible pavement from La Vigie to La Marie; the construction of two roundabouts with associated slip lanes; the construction of a pedestrian footbridge, the construction of a cycle lane over 3,5 km; installation of street lightings; provision of traffic signs, handrails and safety fences; and landscaping.
The contract was awarded to General Construction Ltd and works started in February 2021.
The second phase, from La Brasserie to Beaux Songes, consists of a single carriageway from La Marie passing through the village of Henrietta and ends at Beaux Songes. The project is about 9,5 km and includes the construction of five bridges and slope stabilisation works.
The project was awarded to Beijing Construction Engineering Co. Ltd in September 2022. The cost of the project is Rs 1,5 billion. Works on site started on 31 October 2022 and is expected to be completed by 30 October 2024. At present, the progress of works is 27%.
The third phase, consists in the construction of the Flic en Flac bypass from Xavier to Pierrefonds. The New Link road is 5,2 km long with a Grade separated Junction at Cascavelle, a 72 m long bridge along Rivière Rempart incorporated with the cycle track, three new roundabouts connecting the new road with the existing roads at Geoffroy Road (B91), Palma Road (B2) and Flic en Flac Road (B34) and its connection to Flic en Flac Road.
The project was awarded to Transinvest Construction Ltd in May 2023 for the sum of Rs 1,2 billion. Works on site started on 17 July 2023. At present, the progress of works is 13%.
After the ceremony, Prime Minister Jugnauth made the following statement to the press.
