NWA Begins Phase two Work in Negril

The National Works Agency (NWA) has started phase two construction of an eight-kilometre shared pathway for bicycle and pedestrian traffic along the Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril.

Work commenced January 19 on the 2.5-kilometre stretch from the Grand Pineapple Hotel to the Couples Hotel, and is slated for completion on July 20. The contract has been awarded to Shercon Construction at a cost of $145 million.

The entire project, from the Negril round-about to the Aerodrome, is being undertaken through funding from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF).

“Phase one…started a year and a half ago from the bridge all the way to Pineapple (hotel); that was 1.5 kilometres. We are now doing phase two…and the next one will be from (Couples) all the way up to the Aerodrome,” informed Major Projects Manager at the NWA, Horace Cotterell.

The NWA officer, who was addressing a town hall meeting in Negril on Thursday (January 22), said drainage works and the repairs of bridges along the boulevard, which were not included in the first phase of the project, will also be done during phase two.

Mr. Cotterell said care will be taken not to disrupt activities at hotels within the work path.

“We are aware that we are in the tourist season…the contractor will be working in 500-metre strips and he will dig and fix that section then move to another 500 metres; so as we dig, we will fix.. We are not going to dig the entire 2.5 kilometres and then start fixing,” he said.