Repairs to the long-deteriorated All Saints Road are set to begin as early as Monday, after the government shifted responsibility for the project to the Public Works Department in a bid to accelerate long-delayed upgrades.
According to Antigua News Room, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced the decision, framing it as a deliberate move away from a more costly proposal that had involved a Canadian contractor.
"We're going to fix All Saints Road," Browne said. "Work will start by Monday," he confirmed, with Public Works now formally tasked with carrying out the resurfacing.
Browne disclosed that the previously considered Canadian firm had submitted an estimate of approximately $50 million — a figure he described as excessive given the urgency of the situation and the capacity available locally. "That Canadian option was about $50 million," he said.
Instead, the government will draw on its own resources to deliver the project. "We believe that Public Works can do it cheaper and faster," Browne said, pointing to a more direct approach that avoids the delays typically associated with external procurement.
The Prime Minister also moved to address any concerns about funding, stating plainly that "the money is in place" to undertake the repairs.
All Saints Road is one of the country's key transportation corridors and has been the source of mounting public frustration. Motorists and residents have repeatedly called for urgent intervention as the road's condition continued to worsen.
Browne's announcement marks a clear shift in strategy, bypassing prolonged negotiations in favour of immediate execution through local capacity. With physical works now expected to begin within days, it represents what could be the most decisive step yet toward resolving one of the island's most persistent infrastructure complaints.
