The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) is set to begin overnight pipeline installation works along High Street and St. Mary's Street starting June 29, deploying advanced Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology to minimise disruption to traffic and businesses. According to Antigua.news, the initiative marks a significant phase in the authority's underground infrastructure upgrade programme.
On Saturday, an overseas technical team, working alongside APUA personnel, began offloading specialised HDD equipment on the southern side of the Sunshine Hub in St. John's in preparation for the start of construction.
Unlike conventional excavation methods, Horizontal Directional Drilling enables new pipelines to be installed underground through a trenchless process that requires only an entry and exit point. The technology greatly reduces the need for extensive road excavation, helping to preserve road surfaces, limit traffic interruptions, and shorten overall construction time.
Work is scheduled to commence Monday, June 29, with crews operating daily between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The overnight schedule is designed to allow critical infrastructure upgrades to proceed while avoiding disruption during peak daytime traffic hours.
APUA is urging motorists and pedestrians travelling through the affected areas to exercise caution and to observe all posted traffic signs, barriers, and instructions from traffic management personnel.
The authority thanked the public for its continued patience and cooperation, noting that the works form part of broader ongoing efforts to modernise the country's water infrastructure and improve the reliability of essential services.
