$10.2-Billion Allocation for Montego Bay Perimeter Road
By: , February 28, 2024
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (third left), looks on as Managing Director of the National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC), Stephen Edwards (left), outlines the scope of works on the Montego Bay Perimeter Road in St. James during a tour of the project on January 8. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second left); Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte (third right); and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (right).The Full Story
A budgetary allocation of $10.2 billion has been made for the Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project for the upcoming fiscal year.
The sum is contained in the 2024/25 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.
The funds allocated will go towards acquiring the remaining parcels of land needed for the Montego Bay and Long Hill bypass road construction; achieve 30 per cent completion of construction works on the Montego Bay Bypass; and completing the detailed designs for the Long Hill Bypass and Barret Street/West Street intersection.
Being implemented by the National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC), the project, which began in 2019, aims to create a safe and reliable alternative route for motorists travelling across and within Montego Bay.
This will result in less congestion within the city and the opening up of new lands to facilitate structured developments as well as provide a greater link to the toll-road network.
There have been several achievements under the project up to December 2023.
These include 55 per cent completion of land acquisition, 100 per cent completion of preliminary geotechnical investigations, and the conclusion of preliminary designs for the Montego Bay Bypass corridor.
In addition, there has been 100 per cent completion of detailed designs and 20 per cent completion of construction works on the Montego Bay Bypass, and the planting of 8.6 hectares of trees.
The Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project is slated to end in March 2028.
Some $14.5 billion has been estimated for fiscal year 2025/26.