$100 M SCANDAL AT HDC TRESTRAIL PROJECT

A SHOCKING Housing Development Corporation (HDC) report has revealed major structural defects on a key townhouse project in Arima.

The widespread collapse of the flagship Trestrail Development housing project at Arima Old Road would set back taxpayers by at least $100 million, housing experts have confirmed.

“It is worse than Las Alturas,” one knowledgeable figure said, pointing to the crumbled $90 million Morvant housing project that was the subject of a Commission of Enquiry.

The Trestrail project was launched by the HDC in June 2017 and was aimed at providing 936 residential units, including 192 three-bedroom, 260 three-bedroom apartments.

A total of 100 single family units, 270 three-bedroom and townhouses, 114 two-bedroom houses were part of the large housing complex.  

HDC boasted of “contemporary housing designs.”

The corporation distributed 80 homes in September 2018, but most of the other structures remain incomplete and mired in unacceptable seismic foundation and other improper soil standards.

An extensive HDC geotechnical study conducted by the engineering firm CEP Ltd., found that a high water table, uneven soil settlement, unsuitable soil profiles and other examples of inappropriate foundation.

The 381-page document, which includes elaborate diagrams, questioned the structural integrity of the project, pointing, in some cases, to the absence of reinforced beams and other project essentials.

They include matters pertaining to shear walls and adherence to international codes and standards.

A senior engineer explained to Counterpunchtt that the findings indicate that the design structure would not be supported and that various buildings could collapse over time.

 “It means structure would not sustain the intended load and could break off over time.”

Former Appeal Court judge Mustapha Ibrahim has headed the Las Alturas prove, which found extensive and costly structural deficiencies.

The project was later scrapped.

FINDINGS OF TRESTRAIL STUDY

HERE are the key findings of the analysis of the Trestrail housing project at Arima Old Road.

·       Reinforced concrete beams – Smaller diameter reinforcing beams were used than recommended by the design.

·       Under-strength floor slab – In Block 35, the floor slab was found to be way below the specified value.

·       Masonry shear walls – The masonry shear walls were not constructed in strict accordance with the structural drawings.

·       Reinforced concrete lintel beams – checks will have to be undertaken to determine whether they were constructed per the design drawings.

·       Steel roof structure – connections of roof members were not done in accordance with the design.

·       Honeycombing – this was observed in the finished concrete and has to be repaired.

·       Cracks — Cracks were observed and have to be properly addressed.