Grenada has achieved a landmark infrastructure advancement with the official commissioning of the Bonair Bridge in St Mark parish, a project realized through strategic collaboration between the Government of Grenada and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). This initiative, executed under the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) Cycle X Programme, replaces an obsolete Bailey bridge with a modern, climate-resilient structure designed to withstand environmental challenges.
The newly constructed bridge spans 16.2 meters in length and 8.4 meters in width, featuring reinforced concrete girder construction, dual sidewalks with handrails, comprehensive river training works, retaining walls, and gabion basket protection. These engineering enhancements significantly improve water flow capacity and flood mitigation capabilities, ensuring reliable community access during severe weather events.
Despite design modifications that caused minor delays, the project demonstrated exceptional fiscal management. With an approved budget of EC$2.33 million, the actual expenditure totaled just EC$1.9 million, completing the project within budget while maintaining the highest engineering standards. The construction timeline extended from November 1, 2023, to May 31, 2025, encompassing 579 days of development.
From inception, the project embraced community-centered design principles. Residents, business owners, and local leaders actively participated in consultations and design discussions, ensuring the infrastructure directly addresses local needs. The collaborative effort involved Gilbert & Partners Engineering Co. Ltd. as contractors, FDL Consult Inc. as consultants, and supervision by the Rural Development Unit within the Ministry of Economic Development, Planning and Cooperatives.
The bridge delivers transformative benefits including reliable connectivity between Bonair, Victoria, Diamond Estate and neighboring communities, reduced transportation costs, enhanced climate resilience, improved agricultural transport efficiency, business growth opportunities, increased property values, and better access to essential services. While fully operational, minor finishing works including landscaping and signage will be completed in the coming weeks.
O’Reilly Lewis, CDB’s Director of Projects, commended the partnership during the handover ceremony, highlighting the project as a model of sustainable development achieved through government-partner-community collaboration. The BNTF program, active since 1979, has impacted over 3 million people across the Caribbean region through community-led development initiatives funded by the Special Development Fund and beneficiary governments.