• Category

  • Content Type

$10 Million Bridge Opens in Bigwoods

By: , April 17, 2015

The Key Point:

A $10.1 million box culvert bridge, constructed in the community of Bigwoods in South West St. Elizabeth, was officially opened on Thursday, April 16, by State Minister for Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan.
$10 Million Bridge Opens in Bigwoods
State Minister for Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan (centre), cuts the ribbon to officially open a bridge in Bigwoods, South West St. Elizabeth on April 16, which was constructed at a cost of $10.1 million. Joining Mr. Azan for the occasion are: Black River’s Mayor, Councillor Everton Fisher (3rd left); Councilllor for the Pedro Plains Division, Jeremy Palmer (4th left); Member of Parliament for South West St. Elizabeth, Hugh Buchanan (4th right); Project Manager at the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), Carolyn Gardener (3rd right); Member of Parliament for South East St. Elizabeth, Richard Parchment (2nd right); as well as representatives of the National Works Agency (NWA) and community members.

The Facts

  • The structure, which connects Bigwoods to several other communities, is expected to ease the travel woes of residents, most of whom are farmers.
  • The work was undertaken as part of the Government’s Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP).

The Full Story

A $10.1 million box culvert bridge, constructed in the community of Bigwoods in South West St. Elizabeth, was officially opened on Thursday, April 16, by State Minister for Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan.

The structure, which connects Bigwoods to several other communities, is expected to ease the travel woes of residents, most of whom are farmers. The work was undertaken as part of the Government’s Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Azan said the money expended was well spent. He informed that the construction of the bridge was given “priority attention” as it reconnects residents of several communities, who were forced to travel long distances when a section of the roadway was badly damaged by flood waters.

“(Now) pedestrians can go across, motorists can go across…and when you have rain…children can go to school,” he said.

Noting that the project was completed on time and within budget, Mr. Azan implored members of the communities to protect the structure.

“I am going to ask the citizens to understand that we must play our part. I don’t want us to come back next week or two weeks time to see people driving past here and just throwing garbage over here,” he said.

Meanwhile, the State Minister informed that the parish of St. Elizabeth has benefited from over $1billion in road infrastructural development over the last three years.

This, he said, represents a substantial sum, especially in light of resource constraints.

Mr. Azan also toured several other JEEP projects in St. Elizabeth.

Last Updated: April 17, 2015

Jamaica Information Service