Preysal interchange opens; project on time and within budget

File: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar gets help from Works Minister Jack Warner and Couva South MP Rudy Indarsingh at the sod turning for the Preysal interchange project

Works and Infrastructure Minister Jack Warner on Friday opened the first phase of the multi-million-dollar Preysal interchange.

Warner noted that the project, which was handled by Seereram Brothers, was completed on time and within the allocated $29 million budget.

Phase one consists of exits and entrance ramps on the eastern side of the flyover, leading to Couva and Preysal as well as the exit and entrance ramps to and from the southbound lane of the highway. They are similar to the ones at the San Fernando Bypass that allow a free flow of traffic.

Warner said he wanted to open the roadway before Christmas. "We felt we should not allow here to stay closed while we could release the traffic on the highway," he told reporters.

 Warner said he expects that the second phase would be completed in March 2012 at an estimated cost of $38 million. He added that there are plans to build similar interchanges at Munroe Road and Price Plaza, Chaguanas, at an estimated cost of $200 million.

The Preysal project was supervised by the PURE unit of his ministry. Warner thanked the unit for the professionalism in dealing with the project and said he hopes that the unit will become operational again.

PURE has been suspended. The minister said he hopes the funding issues for the unit will be resolved soon so that work on highways and other infrastructure projects could be accelerated during the dry season.

"If we miss the dry season we shall be in trouble in terms of completion of our works and over budgeted," he explained.

Warner said he is looking forward to an exciting 2012.