Housing and Works Minister Maria Browne says road construction across Antigua and Barbuda will intensify after the general election, pointing to a planned $100 million investment and expanded capacity within her ministry.
Speaking during a “Know Your Candidate” interview, Browne rejected suggestions that the current surge in road activity is temporary or tied only to the election period, insisting the works programme is part of a longer-term strategy.
“The best is yet to come,” Browne said, adding that the level of activity now visible on roads across the country will be “amplified” once funding is fully in place.
She said the government has already increased its operational capacity by engaging about 70 contractors and investing in its own fleet of heavy-duty equipment, reducing reliance on rentals and allowing more projects to move forward simultaneously.
Browne also pointed to cost reductions as a key factor behind the expansion, noting that the price of constructing concrete roads has been reduced significantly.
“When I first got into works, the cost per square foot was about $18… and we hammered it all the way down to 960,” she said, describing the move as a way to stretch public funds further and accelerate construction.
The minister said the pending $100 million loan will allow the government to scale up roadworks nationwide, including major and secondary roads as well as community routes that have gone years without proper infrastructure.
Projects expected to benefit include Anchorage Road Phase 2, Jonas Road, and key connecting routes in St. John’s, with works planned both during the day and at night to speed up delivery.
“You’re going to see more roadworks happening not only in the day but also in the night,” Browne said.
She also addressed concerns about whether the pace of works can be maintained, saying additional staff and stronger quality control systems are being put in place to ensure durability and standards as the programme expands.
Browne maintained that the current level of road activity reflects deliberate planning, not short-term election efforts.
“It’s not by osmosis… it is a plan that has been in action for a long time, and it is a plan that is working,” she said.
The general election is scheduled for April 30.