Five New Bridges to be Built This Fiscal Year

Five new bridges are to be built this fiscal year under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) component of the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP).

They will be erected in Silent Hill, Clarendon; Jacob River, Portland; Latium, St. James; Vanity Fair, St. Catherine; and Kupius, Clarendon.

This was disclosed by Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan, during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 28.

An allocation of $4 billion is to be spent this year on MIDP, with $1.6 billion earmarked for JEEP; $1.5 billion for road works; and $124 million for bridges and structures.

The MIDP is a US$352.9 million undertaking made possible by a Preferential Buyer’s Credit facility from the Government of China, through the China Export-Import (EX-IM) Bank in the amount of US$300 million. The Government will contribute US$52.9 million.

The JEEP component of the MIDP was launched in March and in the first instance, an allocation of $10 million has been made to each constituency for several projects.

Mr. Azan informed that the compact 200 modular bridges that will be built in Silent Hill, Jacob River and Latium are expected to support farming activities.

He added that the structures in Vanity Fair and Kupius are planned as replacements along the National Works Agency (NWA) main road system.

Mr. Azan further disclosed that two additional structures – a foot bridge in Duncans, Trelawny and a box culvert for Mount Charles, St. Andrew- will also be constructed.

The MIDP seeks to continue improvement of the island’s road network, in order to stimulate economic development and enhance the welfare of Jamaica’s citizens.

The JEEP is one of the Government’s strategies geared at countering unemployment among some Jamaicans, particularly those in lower socio-economic groups. It forms part of the Government’s priority focus on employment opportunities.

China Harbour Engineering Company is the main contractor for the overall programme, supported by a number of local sub-contractors.