New bridge and drainage system at Reef Estate |08 February 2014

A new drainage system and bridge are being built between the ex-Reef Hotel and the Reef Holiday Apartments to alleviate the flooding problems as a result of heavy rains combined with high tide.

And since this part of the road which connects east and south Mahé to other parts of the island is usually very busy and the bridge is being built on the actual road, those responsible for the work have thought of not slowing down traffic by building temporary road diversions on the two sides.

Adequate road signage has been placed for the safety of the drivers, while nine new street lights have been installed to ensure the diversion is well illuminated. Speed bumps have been installed and marked as a necessary addition to warn drivers of the road works ahead and to reduce the speed at which vehicles approach the diversions.

In the forthcoming days, contractors will be closing off the middle section and start hollowing out the main road, creating the new drainage system. Outlets will be set up to evacuate water back into the sea and the river, ending with the construction of a bridge. The bridge built across will be six metres wide, and will mean that drivers will remain unaffected by flooding during the rainy season.

Environmental engineer Nimhan Senaratne, who is also the chairman of the national drainage task force, said his team has chosen the best alternative to alleviate traffic congestion while continuing with construction work. The only other option would have been to block part of the actual road which would cause even more congestion.

He noted that a similar project will also be done next to the Victoria Car Hire at Anse Aux Pins. Both projects are expected to be completed within 100 days.

These two areas were chosen due to their low elevation. Elevation is the height above sea level and is measured by surveyors using benchmarks and triangulation.

“Our team has measured the whole of the east coast and discovered that the two lowest points of the east coast are at Reef Estate and by the Victoria Car Hire,” explained Mr Senaratne.

Mr Senaratne has urged motorists and pedestrians to be patient and to think of the long-term benefits as the new system will deter future road congestion caused by flooding.

He is also asking everyone to respect the working environment since it is a medium-risk zone and suggests driving at 30 km per hour to ensure not only the drivers’ safety but also that of the workers.
 
Last year heavy rains brought on by tropical storm Felleng, combined with a high tide, resulted in severe flooding that caused extensive devastation to coastline areas and widespread structural damage to infrastructure – roads, bridges and houses – in the east of Mahé.