PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher on Thursday announced that upgrading work to Frontstreet will begin on Monday, October 30.
The main part of the work will entail removal of all bricks, to be replaced with asphalt in the same fashion as the recently completed Backstreet project. The latter was also funded by Ministry TEATT.
The Minister explained that the bricks on Frontstreet have always presented maintenance issues for government, with constant erosion of the sand beneath causing dangerous dips in the road. The unevenness of the bricks was also a discussion point on Tripadvisor last year after a tourist fell after mis-stepping in such a dip. The road has also been undermined in some areas after the passing of hurricane Irma.
With cruise vessels now expected in December, the Minister wants to use the opportunity to kick off the work to have it completed in time. The first phase to start on Monday will be from the Pasanggrahan Hotel down to the Court House.
Frontstreet will remain accessible at all time to emergency vehicles and pedestrians are asked to exercise caution when walking along the sidewalks while the work s being carried out. Work starts at 7:00am on Monday morning, October 30.
Press Release from the Ministry of TEATT
http://www.smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin-news/27469-frontstreet-upgrading-to-begin-monday.html
