Great Benefits of a Bridge That Links North Caicos to Providenciales

An Op-Ed by Paladin

Why is there no bridge that links North Caicos to Providenciales? Yes, many years ago this idea would have been cost-prohibitive, but today it can be discussed with all seriousness, and a cost–benefit analysis can be mapped and given genuine consideration.

How is this a viable idea, you ask? The answer lies in the total amount of “wasted” funds over the last 20 years and the total amount of government tax monies that were forgiven and not paid into the treasury by resident hotels.

Does anyone know how much this amounts to over twenty years? If the bridge project costs $300 million over five years, I would bet residents that about 60 percent of this cost could have been covered by all of the wasteful spending by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) over the last twenty years. There is a very simple way to check this. Since the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Commission promotes “transparency,” let them conduct an audit covering the period from 2000 to 2025.

There are also other ways of financing this build-out. TCIG would simply have to be committed—across both political parties—to a five-year plan and a clear financial method. This could include loans from agencies that specialize in infrastructure projects, as well as public–private partnerships. My preference would be an interesting hybrid model, one that allows for public investment.

Provo–North Caicos Bridge Investment Fund

30% funded by TCIG

25% funded by a private company

45% exclusive to TCI residents (resident cardholders purchase shares).

Under this structure, the offering should be oversubscribed. Once the project is completed, Turks and Caicos Islanders can expect dividend payments from owning a portion of the project.

These pieces are written to spark imagination among the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, especially the government, because we cannot expect them to think of everything.

Rudimentary Structured Plan: Provo–North Caicos Bridge

1. Site and Alignment

Coordinates provided:

21.812022, -72.137132

21.828994, -72.088359

21.868469, -72.033319

21.906737, -72.029886

Span length: approximately 6–8 km, depending on alignment chosen

Bathymetry: 20 feet water depth; seabed of sand/mud to 10 feet, suitable for pile foundations

2. Environmental and Resilience

Coral reefs: none present

Marine life: none significant

Hurricane resilience: design must withstand Category 5 wind and storm surge loads

Impact mitigation: minimal, but saltwater corrosion protection required

3. Traffic Demand

Daily volumes:

Cars: approximately 100

Trucks: approximately 50

Pedestrians and bicycles: approximately 200

Design implications:

·     Single carriageway with passing bays may suffice

·     Dedicated pedestrian and bicycle lane recommended

·     Load capacity designed for heavy trucks

4. Bridge Type and Design

·     Pile-supported bridge

·     Driven piles into sand/mud seabed

·     Reinforced concrete deck with cable guardrails

·     Clearance height: 15–20 feet (if small boats are expected)

·     Advantages: durable, hurricane-resistant, and lower environmental impact than a causeway

5. Regulatory and Approvals

·     Turks and Caicos Government: planning authority and Ministry of Infrastructure

·     Environmental agencies: approvals required, but simplified due to absence of reefs or significant marine life

·     Timeline: maximum of three months for approvals (per your input).

6. Construction Logistics

·     Access roads: already present; no temporary roads required

·     Staging areas: required for piling rigs and concrete batching

·     Materials: reinforced concrete and corrosion-resistant steel

·     Labor: mix of local and imported skilled workforce

7. Cost and Timeline (Rough Benchmarks)

·     Feasibility and surveys: $2–5 million (6–12 months)

·     Design and approvals: $10–20 million (up to one year)

·     Construction: $200–400 million (5–7 years, depending on alignment and design)

·     Maintenance: 1–2% of capital cost annually (approximately $2–8 million)

8. Next Steps

·     Commission detailed bathymetric and geotechnical surveys

·     Develop conceptual engineering drawings for government submission

·     Launch a feasibility study with cost–benefit analysis

·     Begin stakeholder engagement (government, tourism, transport)

·     Prepare tender documents for contractors with Caribbean bridge experience

Proposed Financing Model

What would a financing model for this bridge look like? Let me propose one simple structure. I am sure that the brilliant minds at the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission can develop several improved variations on this model.

Provo–North Caicos Bridge: Hybrid Financing and Toll Model

·     Financing Structure (Total Cost: $300 million)

·     TCI Government: 30% ($90 million) – anchor investor ensuring state commitment

·     Global partner: 25% ($75 million) – infrastructure fund, development bank, or PPP partner

·     TCI residents (shares): 45% ($135 million) – common shares offered exclusively to residents, tradeable with TCIG retaining first right of refusal

Toll and Weigh Station System

Tolls:

·     Cars: $2

·     Light trucks: $3

·     Heavy trucks and machinery (≤ 5 tonnes): $10

·     Heavy trucks and machinery (> 5 tonnes): $20

·     Bicycles and pedestrians: $1

Weigh Stations

·     Installed at both ends of the bridge -

·     Automated weigh-in-motion systems for trucks

·     Protects bridge structure and ensures fair tolling

·     Revenue Model (Annual Projection)

Traffic assumptions (daily):

·     Cars: 150–200

·     Light trucks: 75

·     Heavy trucks: 50–60

·     Bicycles and pedestrians: 300

·     Estimated Annual Toll Revenue (mid-range):

·     Cars: approximately $127,750

·     Light trucks: approximately $82,125

·     Heavy trucks: approximately $301,125

·     Bicycles and pedestrians: approximately $109,500

·     Total estimated annual revenue: approximately $620,500

Shareholder Benefits

·     Dividends paid from toll revenues after maintenance and debt service

·     Shares tradeable among residents

·     TCIG retains first right of refusal

·     With tourism and freight expansion, traffic could double within 10–15 years, pushing annual revenue toward $1.2–1.5 million

Governance and Oversight

·     Independent Bridge Investment Fund Board with representation from TCIG, residents, and global partners

·     Annual audits and transparent toll revenue reporting

·     Clear dividend policy to avoid political interference

Strategic Impact

Economic: strengthens logistics, tourism, and inter-island commerce

Social: residents own infrastructure, fostering pride and financial participation

Political: balances state, private, and citizen interests

Resilience: toll system ensures sustainable maintenance funding

Ten-Year Dividend Simulation (10% Annual Traffic Growth)

Year Gross Toll Revenue      Net Revenue After $6M Maintenance    Dividend per $1,000 Share

1     $19,321,250; $13,321,250; $98.67

2     $21,253,375; $15,253,375; $112.99

3     $23,378,713; $17,378,713 ;$128.73

4     $25,716,584 ;$19,716,584;$145.30

5     $28,288,242; $22,288,242 ;$163.62

6     $31,117,066; $25,117,066; $184.57

7     $34,228,773; $28,228,773; $207.62

8     $37,651,650; $31,651,650; $232.97

9     $41,416,815; $35,416,815; $260.86

10   $45,559,497; $39,559,497; $291.55

Key Insights

Year 1 net revenue of approximately $13.3 million after maintenance

Dividends rise from approximately $99 per share in Year 1 to $292 by Year 10

Maintenance fully covered annually, with strong surplus for dividends

Electricity Generation

One of the greatest additional benefits of this bridge is that technology can be added to the pylons to generate electricity for North and Middle Caicos.