By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
Residents of South Ruimveldt are expressing growing frustration over prolonged delays in the expansion of Aubrey Barker Road, a major infrastructure project intended to connect the community to the Ogle Highway and improve access, transportation, and mobility for hundreds of households.
Community members say the project, which has been ongoing for nearly three years, has caused daily disruption to their lives, creating hardship through dust pollution, poor road conditions, flooding, and transportation challenges.
One resident, Sean Benn, described the situation as increasingly unbearable, noting that buses no longer travel deep into the community and now stop at National Avenue, forcing residents—many of them elderly—to walk long distances with groceries, work equipment, and personal belongings.
He said the prolonged construction has created serious safety and emergency access concerns, adding that the community has endured years of dust pollution, uneven road surfaces, and poor drainage.
Another resident, 81-year-old Samuel Bledman, said the delays have made daily transportation especially difficult for senior citizens. He explained that residents often have to walk long distances just to access public transport, sometimes for over half an hour, while still paying the same fare despite the reduced service.
Bledman added that the situation is even more challenging for elderly residents who live alone, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall, when flooding and muddy road conditions make movement nearly impossible.
Dr. Kevin Pierre, another resident, said community complaints have been ongoing for years, with inconsistent road maintenance compounding the problem. He explained that grading and the application of materials such as crush-and-run occur irregularly, making safe travel unreliable and increasing flooding risks during adverse weather.
According to residents, the prolonged state of construction has left parts of the community vulnerable to standing water, erosion, and limited accessibility, affecting both quality of life and property conditions.
Recently, Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works, acknowledged delays in the project during a site visit to the area. He explained that setbacks were caused by the relocation of residents and the diversion of water mains and utility networks.
The minister stated that expansion works are progressing and are now expected to be completed by the end of January, offering reassurance that the long-awaited connection between Aubrey Barker Road and the Ogle Highway will soon be realized.
Despite the assurances, residents say they are cautiously hopeful, stressing that the community has heard similar timelines before and is now seeking tangible results rather than promises.
As delays continue, frustration is growing, with residents calling for improved planning, better communication, and faster project execution to restore normalcy and ensure safe, reliable access for the South Ruimveldt community.
