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Approximately 9.6 kilometres of flood-damaged farm roads in five parishes will be repaired this fiscal year, as work continues under the Reduction of Fluctuation in Export Exchange project. The parishes in which the work will be undertaken are Hanover, St. James, St. Catherine, Trelawny, and St. Ann. A sum of $128 million has been allotted for the project in the...

The Government has set aside $1.6 billion in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, to carry out Tropical Storm Gustav rehabilitation works during the new fiscal year, which begins on April 1. This project, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Works, aims to rehabilitate, restore and protect critical sections of physical infrastructure in the island, to improve...

The Bogue Road Rehabilitation Project in the Ministry of Transport and Works is to receive $500 million in the 2010/11 fiscal year to support the North Coast Highway Improvement Project, through the upgrading of the Bogue Road. This will reduce the current traffic congestion and improve the level of safety on that corridor. As set out in the Estimates of...

The 2010/11 Budget includes the provision of $166 million for the Commercial Vehicle Safety and Weight Limit Enforcement programme in the Ministry of Transport and Works. The money is to be used to start construction of three weigh stations; complete the Harbour Head Weigh Station; and substantially complete the other two weigh stations, as well as complete all programmed platforms...

The Government has cut planned importation of new buses from Belgium in 2010/11 by 50%, but the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is expected to fill a large portion of the gap with newly refurbished buses. The 2010/11 Budget which was tabled in Parliament on Thursday (March 25) by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon Audley Shaw,...

Bus fares in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR) will be increased from $50 to $80 for regular adult service, effective next week Thursday (April 1), based on a Cabinet decision made public Tuesday (March 23) by Transport and Works Minister, the Hon Mike Henry. The decision, which relates to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) service only, also includes...

Minister of Transport and Works, Hon. Michael Henry, is encouraging young people to consider careers in the aeronautical and maritime fields, noting that these areas offer high remuneration. "These two industries are high-earning industries. They are industries that will have a greater spinoff," he said, noting the potential for development and employment creation. Minister Henry was speaking on Friday (March...

A $791 million contract was signed at the Ministry of Transport and Works, in Kingston, on March 19, for the reconstruction of the Dry River Bridge in Harbour View, St. Andrew, almost two years after Tropical Storm Gustav destroyed parts of the structure. Upon completion, the four-lane bridge will replace the two-lane fording that currently facilitates the movement of both...

The Road Safety Unit (RSU) is reporting a 27 per cent reduction in road fatalities since the start of 2010, when compared with the corresponding period for last year. Up to March 17, some 64 persons have been killed in motor vehicle crashes. This is 24 less than the 88 persons who died during the similar period last year. Twenty...

Jamaica was one of the most sought after travel destinations on display at the world's largest travel and adventure show, which was held from March 6 -7, at the Washington Convention Center, in Washington, D.C. Over 200 exhibitors took part in the event, which attracted more than 20,000 visitors. Jamaica's booth was a buzz of activity, with the showing of...

The Government has been given the go-ahead to ratify the agreement establishing the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS). Cabinet gave the approval at its sitting held on Wednesday, March 3. Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, explained that CASSOS is aimed at...

For years the practice of trucks traversing the nation's roadways, overloaded with cargo and operating with callous disregard for life and property, has gone unpunished; not for a lack of regulations, but mainly because of a lack of enforcement. But, according to Director of the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), Mr. Paul Clemetson, "those days are over." Bemoaning the colossal damage...