Hospital access road closed after road collapse

Following the landslide at the entrance to the Route de Vitet on July 19, a new incident occurred during an episode of heavy rain. This time in Gustavia, on the evening of Tuesday September 10. At nightfall, a collapse occurred under the rue du père Irénée de Bruyn, not far from the hospital entrance. With the risk of the roadway collapsing more than likely, the local authority decided to block access to the road. On Wednesday morning, President Xavier Lédée issued a territorial decree confirming and formalizing the temporary closure of the section of road threatened by collapse. The order, which runs "until the street has been made safe", bans all vehicular traffic. Until further notice, patients and visitors to the hospital must enter via the rear of the hospital, on rue de la Colline. Some questions remain unanswered, however.

Identifying areas at risk
The first concerns the duration of the work to secure the road. Or, more precisely, of the land supporting the road. Below the section of roadway affected by the collapse is a plot of land that is currently under construction, but which has been abandoned for an indeterminate length of time. In fact, in the midst of the walls that have barely begun to be erected, the vegetation has reclaimed its rightful place. When asked by JSB about the potential duration of the safety work, neither the local authority nor its president provided any clarification.
With regard to the plots of land below the road, which have been blithely dug up for a construction site, the Collectivité planned to purchase them in 2023. Unoccupied and already ready for construction, it seemed ideal for housing. However, it seems that the transaction was not completed. The validity of the building permit issued for the now derelict site would have expired. In addition, the lease signed between the owner and the occupant has been terminated. In any case, for the time being, the local authority will have to do its utmost to ensure that the Rue Irénée de Bruyn does not go down a floor.
In addition, following the two warnings issued by Vitet and Gustavia, the time has come for the Collectivité to take a closer look at the areas at risk, particularly in the event of weather deterioration.