Shocking! Penn suggests roadworks could cost $100M

Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn has expressed shock over what he estimated was the actual cost of the government’s proposed 38 miles of road construction project.

The proposed 38-mile road construction project sparked concern over its potential cost after Penn calculated that it could reach a staggering $100 million. The revelation came during a recent exchange in the House of Assembly between Penn and Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer. During the sitting, Penn questioned the projected $30 million allocated for the labour portion of the roadworks, expressing shock that the materials, including asphalt and concrete, would require additional contracts and funding. “This project could potentially cost the people of the territory close to almost $100 million, with material and labour,” Penn said.

He added that the cost would likely surprise many residents who had originally anticipated lower figures. “I think… when this was initially thought out, it was sort of deceiving, because the perception was that we are getting 30-something miles of road for 30-something million dollars,” Penn argued. He continued: “Essentially, this is going to cost the taxpayers of this country, this project in particular, close to almost $100 million. If you count the materials that we have to provide — the concrete, the steel, the asphalt has to be provided by the government. And I don’t think that is clear to the public.”