US$200 Million Bypass to be Built in Montego Bay

Traffic congestion leading into the city of Montego Bay should be eased soon, following a commitment from the Government to build a bypass at an estimated cost of US$200 million.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, made the announcement at a Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry luncheon, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, in Rose Hall, St. James on June 15.

“I am pleased to advise that the Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has taken a very active interest in this bypass road. Rest assured that you have the commitment of the Government of Jamaica on that,” Mr. Shaw told the members.

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and other lobby groups have been pushing hard for the bypass to ease the traffic congestion which has been plaguing the resort city.

Meanwhile, Chamber President, Gloria Henry, said the bypass is “a critical imperative”, and that failure to construct and prioritise the bypass will “stifle the growth of Montego Bay and hamper the expansion of the tourist industry”.

“It will provide an alternative route for access to Sangster International Airport and for the over three million tourists that come via that airport annually and stay in northeast and western resorts,” she explained.

Mrs. Henry said the bypass will divert the commercial traffic, thus allowing more efficient movement in and around the city.

Mr. Shaw said the new route will start at Ironshore, roughly three to four kilometres from the Sangster International Airport,  bypassing the city altogether.

“What we are looking at is a four-lane route that will be tolled,” the Minister pointed out.

He reiterated that Montego Bay has demonstrated that the city is the hub of economic activity and deserves to have something of this magnitude, befitting its status as the tourism capital of Jamaica and one of the fastest developing cities in the Caribbean.