The Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, proceeded, yesterday afternoon, to the opening of the Grade Separated Junction linking the Verdun bypass and St Pierre bypass.
Several personalities were present including: the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun; the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mr Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram; Members of Parliament; and representatives from the Road Development Authority (RDA) and the ENL Ltd.
The project, to the tune of some Rs 450 million, aims to alleviate congestion in the region. It will allow traffic movement over the Motorway M3, from the Verdun Bypass (East) to St Pierre Bypass (A17) and vice versa.
In his address, Prime Minister Jugnauth pointed out that the project will ease the life of road users with improved travel time and less traffic jam, as well as reduce the operating costs of vehicles and the risks of accidents. He extended appreciation to the public-private sector collaboration, especially to ENL Ltd for contributing in terms of more than 53 arpents of land for the project and the planting of trees along the Verdun bypass.
Due to the increased number of accidents, the Prime Minister appealed to road users to be more cautious and vigilant, and to adhere to rules on road traffic so as to ensure safety and curb fatalities on the road.
Speaking on the health of the population which is key to Government’s priority, Prime Minister Jugnauth mentioned that road projects being undertaken, including the Verdun bypass, consist of a bicycle lane to ensure the safety of cyclists. To this end, he spoke of the road project from Wooton to Flic-en-Flac, whereby 27 km will be dedicated to accommodate bicycle lanes.
Prime Minister Jugnauth also enumerated major road infrastructures already implemented, which include the Sir Anerood Jugnauth bridge connecting Soreze to Coromandel; the Grade Separated Junction at Pont Pont Fer/Jumbo/Dowlut; the Verdun Bypass; the Link Road at La Vigie; the Grade Separated Junction at Decaen; and the Flyover at Quay D in Port Louis. He moreover dwelt on other projects that are underway, comprising the Bois Chéri Bypass; the Flyover at Terre Rouge; the Grade Separated Junction at Wooton; and the Hermitage Bypass.
The extension of the Metro Express project connecting Reduit to Saint Pierre and eventually to the Eastern region of the country, as well as the construction of the Administrative City in Côte d’Or were also highlighted by the Prime Minister.
As for Minister Hurreerum, he dwelt on projects in line to modernising the country and improving the life of citizens. He further mentioned the assistance of the RDA as regards infrastructural projects such as the flyover enabling movement across the country.
