Good morning everyone.
Whether it’s navigating potholes after a rainstorm, enjoying a quiet walk through one of our National Parks, or ensuring we have reliable access to fresh water, we all depend on Bermuda’s infrastructure and environment every single day. As Minister of Public Works and Environment, I take that responsibility seriously, and so does this budget.
This is my first national budget as Minister, and I’m proud to build on the foundation laid by my predecessor while accelerating progress on our most urgent priorities. At its core, this budget is about laying the groundwork for the future with smarter investments, better service delivery, and real results for the public.
Our Ministry oversees many of Bermuda’s most critical services: roads and bridges, water supply, waste management, parks, and environmental protection. These systems are the backbone of our daily lives and maintaining and improving them is our duty and this year’s budget gives us the tools to do just that.
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment has been allocated $84.1 million, a 6% increase over last year, to carry out projects that will directly benefit residents and improve Bermuda’s long-term resilience. Let me walk you through a few of the key initiatives, and more importantly, what they mean for you.
Improving the state of our roads remains a top priority. This budget commits $5 million toward repairing and resurfacing roads across the island.
This isn’t just a number, it means fewer potholes, smoother commutes, and safer conditions for our drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. We’ve heard your concerns and we are acting.
This funding also includes the purchase of new drainage equipment to clear blocked road drains, thereby reducing flood risks during heavy rainfall. In short, we are attacking road maintenance challenges from all sides.
And the results are already visible. In the past year, critical trouble spots have been repaired from Scaur Hill and stretches of Middle Road in Sandys and Southampton, to South Road and Middle Road in Warwick and Smith’s.
The next phase is even more promising. I can proudly say that our first shipment of brand-new road paving equipment is set to arrive within two weeks. Once in service, this modern machinery will allow our teams to resurface roads faster and to a much higher standard.
To every motorist who has had to dodge a pothole or endure a detour: We hear you, and meaningful improvements are already in motion. Again, this is about laying the groundwork for a safer, smoother Bermuda.
Just as important as our roads are our bridges. None more vital than the Swing Bridge in St. George’s, a lifeline for residents, businesses, and emergency services in the East End.
This budget allocates $3.8 million to advance the replacement of this aging structure. These funds will support the final design, planning, and preparatory work required before construction can begin.
We are taking a phased approach: essential repairs are underway on the current bridge to keep it operational, while design work on the new span moves forward. The new bridge will be constructed alongside the old one to minimise disruption and ensure a smooth transition.
We recognise how critical this link is, and we are treating it with the urgency and care it demands. As we move through each phase, we will continue to keep the public informed.
Laying the groundwork for the future also means protecting life today. Over the past two years, tragic events have shown us why lifeguards at our public beaches are not a luxury, they are a necessity.
This budget dedicates $800,000 to hiring full-time lifeguards for our busiest beaches, extending coverage well beyond the traditional summer months.
Historically, Bermuda’s lifeguard service was seasonal. But with tourism rebounding and cruise ships arriving earlier and later in the year, our beaches are busy almost year-round. This funding allows us to respond to that reality.
It’s important to note that we're not just adding positions, we’re building a sustainable service. We’ve partnered with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a global authority on beach safety, to help us modernise recruitment, training, pay, and job structure. We’re creating career pathways that will attract and retain skilled professionals who can save lives.
Another critical investment is in our island’s water infrastructure. Over $1 million has been allocated to refurbish several of the large government-owned water tanks that store public supply, not the household tanks many of us know, but major facilities that act as buffers during periods of high demand or limited rainfall.
This is a response to recent years, where below-average rainfall and higher usage placed strain on supply in some areas. By sealing leaks, upgrading pumping systems, and improving catchment areas, we’re strengthening our capacity to weather dry spells and respond to emergencies.
In practical terms, if we experience an unusually long dry period this summer, or a hurricane disrupts the distribution system, these restored tanks will help ensure that residents still have access to safe, stored water. That’s the kind of resilience we need to build now, not later.
Our parks, beaches, and open spaces are more than just scenery, they are part of who we are. This year, we are allocating $600,000 to enhance amenities across our National Parks system, such as playgrounds and the like.
We want to encourage more people to get outside and connect with nature, and that means ensuring our parks are clean, safe, and welcoming for all ages.
Finally, as an island on the front lines of climate change, coastal protection is not optional, it’s essential. This budget includes $400,000 for projects that will strengthen seawalls, restore dunes, and reinforce the natural buffers that protect our coastal roads and communities.
We've all seen what a single storm can do to a beach or shoreline. These proactive steps are how we protect our homes, infrastructure, and ecosystems. It's another way we are laying the groundwork for the future.
Each of these initiatives, whether it’s fixing a road, replacing a bridge, hiring lifeguards, or restoring a water tank, is part of a larger mission: to serve the people of Bermuda and secure our island’s future.
I want to thank the dedicated teams within the Ministry of Public Works and Environment who work tirelessly to turn these plans into results. In my short time in this role, I have been impressed by the professionalism, skill, and passion of our engineers, planners, and public service staff.
To the people of Bermuda: thank you for your continued engagement, your feedback, and your patience as we carry out this important work. Together, we are not just maintaining what we have, we are laying the groundwork for the future.
Thank you.