$1.87 Billion for Palisadoes Shoreline and Road Project

The Palisadoes Shoreline and Road Project has been allocated some $1.87 billion in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

The project seeks to protect the integrity and viability of the investments made by the Government and ensure that its citizens have reliable access; and to make the corridor less susceptible to flooding, while also protecting the Kingston Harbour from storm surges.

For this fiscal year, the anticipated targets include: implementation of revetments 1 and 2 works to protect against storm surges; complete the road rehabilitation works; commence construction of  2 kilometres of water line; removal and replacement of utility poles; and to complete 80 per cent of total works.

The project, which commenced in April 2010, was slated to end in March 2012, but has been extended to July 2012.

Achievements to date include: completion of designs; selection of contractors; National Contracts Commission (NCC) approval obtained; receipt of environmental permit; haulage road construction in progress with core filling being undertaken; mangroves removed and in storage/nursery; turbidity barriers in place; 60 per cent completion of revetment 1; 35 per cent completion of revetment 2; and completion of 34 per cent of construction.

The project, which falls under the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, is being financed by the Government of Jamaica and the China EXIM Bank.

By Chris Patterson, JIS Reporter