New Retaining Wall Constructed on the Morne

Contact: John Emmanuel

Thursday, November 8, 2001 -  The Ministry of Communications and Works has successfully introduced a new type of retaining wall on the island. For the past week, workmen have been busy replacing the old masonry retaining wall on the Morne with a new specialist Quib-wall earth retention system supplied by the Trinidadian company, Spank-Crete Caribbean Limited.

Chief Engineer Dalton Cenac explained that “the new structure comprises a number of interlocking pre-cast concrete units in-filled with granular material.” He further explained: “The advantages over a traditional retaining wall are a reduced construction period, it eliminates hydrospace build-up behind the wall, provides a strong and flexible modular structure and also the open space can be landscaped to provide a pleasing structure.” 

Replacement of the wall started on Tuesday,  October 30, and was substantially completed by last Monday. Favourable cost is a major factor influencing the Ministry’s decision to use the new ready-built earth retention structure at other locations on the island. Another factor is its effectiveness in dealing with extreme seepage and adverse ground water conditions,  as was evident at the Morne location.

Meantime, work was to begin before the end of this week to address the land slippage problem on the Millennium highway.  A local contractor will carry out the project  which involves the construction of a new masonry retaining wall, 75 metres long by 2.5 metres high, at the base of the slope as well as a new cut-off drain at the top of the slope. Since the slope is also prone to erosion, a special type of grass will be planted there to anchor and reinforce the soil. 

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