Caymanas to Linstead Highway 80 Per Cent Complete

Work on the Caymanas to Linstead leg of the North-South Highway is more than 80 per cent complete and is on track to conclude in the first quarter of 2016.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, who toured that section of the highway yesterday (October 28), said she is pleased with the progress of the project.

She commended the contractors for the excellent work done so far, and “for sticking with the programme and ensuring that everything is going well.”

She also commended Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica, His Excellency Dong Xiaojun, for his contributions in this regard.

She pointed out that the highway project will open up that north-south section of the country to more economic opportunities. “I’m sure Jamaica will benefit greatly as a result of this project,” she said.

Mrs. Simpson Miller said she is particularly heartened that over 1,000 Jamaicans have been employed under the project, and are the majority of workers.

“I have seen some work that has been done by the Jamaicans that I’m sure it’s new skills being passed on to our people by the Chinese. I think that is also very impressive,” she said.

In the meantime, Managing Director, National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC), Ivan Anderson noted that most of the project is complete including earth works, filling and all the drainage work.

“The only areas that are left outstanding are to (tie in the) ends at Mammee Bay (in Ocho Rios) and the first section by Caymanas (in St. Catherine),” he said.

The North-South section of Highway 2000 will be 66 kilometres long and allow motorists to travel from Kingston to the resort town of Ocho Rios in less than an hour.

The US$600 Million project is being undertaken through a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement between the Jamaican Government and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

It is being executed in three sections.  The first leg of the project connects Caymanas to Linstead in St. Catherine; the second, Linstead to Moneague in St. Ann; while segment three will link Moneague to Ocho Rios in St. Ann.

The Linstead to Moneague segment opened in August 2014, while the other portions are scheduled to be completed next year.