Bridge over lagoon
now being studied
PHILIPSBURG--The construction of a bridge over Simpson Bay Lagoon is being studied. The bridge has to connect Airport Boulevard with Port de Plaisance.
The plans for building the bridge were announced during meeting of the Central Committee of the Island Council during which the 2008 budget was discussed.
National Alliance (NA) Councilman Rodolphe Samuel asked during the public debates on the budget where the money for the bridge would come from. “It’s not listed in the Dutch Funding Agency USONA projects,” Samuel said.
According to the Councilman, the construction of a bridge is being widely discussed in the community because of traffic congestion in the area.
Public Works Commissioner Theo Heyliger said drawings were being made, but the feasibility of a bridge had to be further studied. Finance Commissioner Roy Marlin indicated that no financing had been made available as yet because the project was still being studied.
Transportation Commissioner Louie Laveist asked that all remain calm and noted that the bridge was being talked about as if it were already there, while it was not sure whether a bridge would be built.
Sources close to government indicate that besides the construction of a bridge, the possibility of building a tunnel at the same location is being studied too.
