The long-delayed West End Ferry Terminal Redevelopment Project has been significantly downsized after engineering reports revealed the site remains unstable and requires additional reclamation work, forcing officials back to the drawing board.
In a statement issued today May 19, the Ministry of Communications and Works said the redesigned project is smaller than originally planned, acknowledging that the outcome falls short of public expectations.
“The Ministry recognises that this is not the outcome anyone had hoped for," the ministry stated.
The setback follows an earlier tender process in which bids came in far above budget, with one joint venture of two local firms submitting a proposal of roughly $64 million and a Canadian company bidding about $94 million. Both figures exceeded what was financially feasible, prompting the Ministry to seek permission from the Caribbean Development Bank to halt the process and redesign the project.
Officials said updated engineering assessments confirmed further reclamation is needed because the existing footprint is not stable enough to support the original design.
The revised plan, developed by international consultants INROS Lackner SE, aims to stay within the approved budget while maintaining key amenities intended to improve travel through the West End port.
The Ministry admitted frustration over the pace of the project, saying delays have been felt both by the public and within government.
Despite the redesign, officials said efforts are ongoing to move the project forward quickly, with the construction tender process expected to open later this year.
In a statement issued today May 19, the Ministry of Communications and Works said the redesigned project is smaller than originally planned, acknowledging that the outcome falls short of public expectations.
“The Ministry recognises that this is not the outcome anyone had hoped for," the ministry stated.
The setback follows an earlier tender process in which bids came in far above budget, with one joint venture of two local firms submitting a proposal of roughly $64 million and a Canadian company bidding about $94 million. Both figures exceeded what was financially feasible, prompting the Ministry to seek permission from the Caribbean Development Bank to halt the process and redesign the project.
Officials said updated engineering assessments confirmed further reclamation is needed because the existing footprint is not stable enough to support the original design.
The revised plan, developed by international consultants INROS Lackner SE, aims to stay within the approved budget while maintaining key amenities intended to improve travel through the West End port.
The Ministry admitted frustration over the pace of the project, saying delays have been felt both by the public and within government.
Despite the redesign, officials said efforts are ongoing to move the project forward quickly, with the construction tender process expected to open later this year.
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