Français
On November 20, rocks detached from the morne overlooking the road leading from the entrance to the Port de Commerce to Gustavia. The rockslide occurred in the early evening at a time when no vehicles were on the road. The rocks were broken up and cleared away during the evening, but since then the section of road has remained closed to traffic for safety reasons. In fact, as the President of the Collectivité, Xavier Lédée, pointed out in an online publication dated December 13, "even today, as a result of the rainfall of the last few hours, rockfalls have occurred on the road.Today, following the rains of the last few hours, rockfalls weighing five to six kilos have been reported on the massif, with no rockfalls on the road yet, confirming the need to maintain these precautionary measures". He added: "The road will remain one-way (in the Public-Gustavia direction, editor's note) for as long as deemed necessary. "At least until the expert report from Guadeloupe's Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM) has been submitted.
A report before Christmas
A BRGM geologist came to Saint-Barthélemy at the request of the Collectivité. The scientist inspected the disaster site to assess the risks in the area. He also met with technical service staff. At present, BRGM is working on its report. This document will be made public and given to the Collectivité for distribution.
According to the President of the Collectivité, BRGM has carried out a diagnosis on "three sites identified as sensitive". The first is, of course, the entrance road to Gustavia. "We should have the BRGM report for this site before Christmas," says Fabrice Querrard, president of the Commission de maîtrise du développement et de la modernisation du territoire.
The territorial councillor points out that the second "sensitive site" to be examined by BRGM is the stretch of road leading from Hauts de Saint-Jean to the crossroads of Petite and Grande Saline, at Morne Depoudré. On September 18, this was the site of a major rockfall. The rocks came crashing down onto the road (which was damaged), as well as onto the roadside. Traces of this rockfall can still be seen today on the morne.
The study was also carried out on the stretch of road leading from La Tourmente to L'Œuf. On October 10, a large boulder had fallen onto the road, without causing any accident or damage. Nevertheless, this incident, which occurred in the vicinity of the development work undertaken on the site over the last few months, may suggest that the morne has become more fragile. It is therefore possible that further rock falls may occur.
From net to purge
Other sites are also likely to be inspected by BRGM experts, confirms Fabrice Querrard. Like the area under the rue du Père Irénée de Bruyn, in Gustavia. On September 10, 2024, heavy rainfall in the evening caused the roadway to start collapsing. The road alongside the hospital entrance was closed to traffic for almost ten days. Coupe-Gorge, Gouverneur and Grand-Fond, with its rocky outcrops, may also be studied in the near future. In fact, Fabrice Querrard explains that the Collectivité is "working on a more general mission on the island to identify all the most sensitive areas". Scientists from the Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières de Guadeloupe will therefore be called in again shortly.
In his online publication of December 13, Xavier Lédée asserts that "a more global market will be launched very quickly in order to provide sustainable solutions". Fabrice Querrard points out that, for the time being, only two solutions appear to be feasible on Saint-Barth: the installation of nets to retain the rocks, or "purging". This second option consists in "making the rocks fall in equilibrium", emphasizes the territorial councillor.
In the meantime, users of the Gustavia entrance road and the road from Hauts de Saint-Jean to the Saline crossroads should remain vigilant, as small rocks are still regularly falling on these two roads. These rocks and debris can be dangerous, particularly for two-wheeler riders.
