$530 Million to Complete Widening of Washington Boulevard

All outstanding civil works under the Washington Boulevard Corridor Widening Programme will be completed this fiscal year, through allocation of $530 million.

The provision, contained in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives, will also go towards completing  utilities relocation and facilitating payment for re-measured works and project accounts.

Implemented in January 2008, through funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Jamaica, the project encompasses 2.75 kilometres of roadway from the Molynes Road intersection to the junction at Dunrobin Avenue and Constant Spring Road.

It  involves widening of the roadway from two to six lanes; reconstruction of the existing pavement; construction of boundary walls along the new road alignment; putting in sidewalks, curbs, drains, box culverts and retaining walls; the building of three major bridge structures; installing traffic signals, street lights, and sewage and water distribution lines.

The major objectives are to enhance productivity by reducing the economic loss to the country when people are stranded in traffic; reduce high fuel consumption and vehicle operating cost due to congestion and poor ride quality.

Up to March 2012, achievements include: the establishment of a project management unit; acquisition of all 37 parcels of land to facilitate civil works; and the award and completion of civil works with a defects liability period put into effect. In addition, 99 per cent of utilities were relocated and all 37 boundary fences were constructed.

The Washington Boulevard Corridor Widening Programme is being implemented by the National Works Agency (NWA) under the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing.

By Chris Patterson, JIS Reporter