$665.4 Million Contract Signed For Rebuilding Of Kupius Bridge in Clarendon

The Kupius Bridge in Pennants, Clarendon, is to be rebuilt at a cost of approximately $665.4 million (US$5.53 million), under the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP).

A two-lane reinforced concrete bridge is be built to replace the existing single-lane steel structure, which is over 100 years old, and has deteriorated extensively, posing a danger for commuters, motorists, and pedestrians.

The Kupius Bridge, which spans Jamaica’s second largest river, the Rio Minho, is a major link for several communities in North and North Central Clarendon, including Chapelton, Frankfield, Kellits, and Pennants.

Contracts for the 15-month project, to be undertaken by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), beginning in January 2016, were signed at the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Housing’s Maxfield Avenue offices in Kingston on Wednesday, December 16.

The signatories were: Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies; Health Minister and North Clarendon Member of Parliament, Hon. Horace Dalley; Permanent Secretary, Transport, Works, and Housing Ministry, Audrey Sewell; Deputy General Manager, CHEC Americas Division, Qiwu Yang; and North Central Clarendon Member of Parliament, Pearnel Charles.

Dr. Davies, in his remarks, said that the erection of the bridge will be a “major improvement to the infrastructure of northern Clarendon.”

For his part, Mr. Dalley said the bridge is a pivotal component of the multi-billion improvement works being carried out along the corridor running from Clarendon’s capital, May Pen, through the districts of Sour Sop Turn, Chapelton, Trout Hall in the northern section of the parish, and into the communities of Cave Valley, Brown’s Town, and Discovery Bay in St. Ann.

Both he and Mr. Charles gave their undertaking to work together in ensuring seamless implementation of the project.

Mr. Yang welcomed the opportunity afforded to CHEC to reconstruct the Kupius Bridge, and gave the assurance that CHEC would endeavour to complete the project on time and within budget.

The $42.4 billion (US$352.94 million) MIDP is jointly financed by the China Ex-Im Bank, which has provided 85 per cent of the funding by way of a loan, and the remaining 15 per cent by the Government of Jamaica.