Residents have been affected by dust and poor road conditions since the work began. According to Commissioner Smalls, the first phase of the project - installing a drainage system-  is nearly completed.  Smalls says completion of the roadwork is hampered by a lack of funding, since the project is unable to utilize federal funds.  Current cost projections are approximately seven million dollars for road paving throughout the neighborhood, although that figure is expected to rise.  Smalls and other officials noted that systemic drainage problems needed to be addressed in order for road paving to be successful.

  
Williams Delight residents stated that the community has suffered with poor roads for 25 years.  Residents are also concerned about the illegal dump sites in the neighborhood, junked and abandoned cars and sewer lines.   Many of the existing problems are attributed to infrastructural issues that were never resolved when the property was originally subdivided.

Lt. Governor Francis said he understood the residents’ frustrations and noted that the deJongh/Francis administration is committed to doing the job the “right way”.  “It might seem that nothing is being done, but without drainage we’re wasting our time,” Francis stated.   “We will try our utmost to find funding to move this project forward.”  The Lt. Governor credited the new leadership at the Department of Public Works for being responsive to community concerns.

“We have to work together as a community,” Francis told the gathered audience.  Completion of the road repair project is expected to involve the combined efforts of Williams Delight residents, the administration and senators.