Benefits Projected from Ferris Cross to Belmont Road Rehabilitation

Transport, Works and Housing Minister, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, has said that major rehabilitation works to be carried out on the roadway between Ferris Cross and Belmont in Westmoreland, is expected to yield significant benefits for both communities and adjoining areas.

Speaking at Friday's (August 10) contract signing ceremony for the $497 million project, at the HEART Trust/NTA Culloden Vocational Training Centre in Whitehouse, Westmoreland, Dr. Davies underscored the importance of the undertaking, which includes works on the roadway linking Montego Bay, St. James with Whitehouse.         

"This project is of significance, not just for the area through which it runs, but it will be of significance to opening up the area to facilitate the continued development of the area for tourism and for any other economic activity… (inclusive of) infrastructure (development) to stimulate growth," Dr. Davies noted.

The Minister pointed out that, in addition to further improving the country’s infrastructure, the administration was also seeking to better position the citizens to benefit from both economic and social development.

"I want you all to appreciate, therefore, that whilst we recognize the fiscal limitations, we are ensuring that the development of the country is carried out within the constraints of the fiscal space…in furtherance of overall development of the country,” Dr. Davies emphasized.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, who was the keynote speaker, and Dr. Davies, were among the principals signing the contract for the project, which is being executed by the Ministry, through the National Works Agency (NWA).

The scope of works will entail rehabilitation of over 22 kilometres of roadway, inclusive of extensive repairs to existing drainage networks and the construction of new ones. Financing is being provided under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded Transportation Infrastructure Rehabilitation Programme.