The National Works Agency (NWA) will conduct a comprehensive test on the soil beneath the Burnt Ground main road in Hanover, following suspicions that underground water might be impacting the road quality in the area.

The road, which is part of the corridor from Shettlewood to Mackfield, has sparked demonstrations by residents who complained that the section of the road has been in a state of disrepair.

According to the community relations officer for the NWA’s western region, Janel Ricketts, preliminary works for the rehabilitation of the roadway are complete. However, soil tests are needed to ensure that road users get the maximum value from funds being spent to improve road conditions.

The $20-million Burnt Ground Road project involves the removal of soft spots, scarifying and reshaping sections of the roadway, construction of additional drainage features, and resurfacing using asphaltic concrete.

Ricketts said that rehabilitative works under the project are to resume as soon as the results of the soil investigations are confirmed and a plan formalised. The soil investigations are expected to last for a week.

The Burnt Ground Road project is scheduled to end by February 2024.