Mountainside to Watchwell Road in St. Elizabeth to be Repaired

More than $100 million will be spent to rehabilitate six kilometres of roadway from Mountainside to Watchwell, in St. Elizabeth.

Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, told JIS News that the roadway being targeted connects four constituencies and will ensure that activities in the tourism and other sectors in St. Elizabeth are boosted.

The Minister toured the Mountainside to Watchwell main road on Wednesday, April 1. He was accompanied by Minister of  State in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard  Azan, as well as Members of Parliament for North East and South West St. Elizabeth, Raymond Pryce and Hugh Buchanan, respectively; Black River’s Mayor, Councillor Everton Fisher, as well as representatives of the NWA.

Dr. McNeill said the selection of the Mountainside to Watchwell road was done with the full blessing of the four St. Elizabeth Members of Parliament as well as the Parish Council and other stakeholders.

“This road opens up the tourism product in a meaningful way from Treasure Beach all the way to Accompong Town. It also opens up the opportunity for visitors in Treasure Beach to go and visit the attractions outside, whether the Appleton Tour, Holland Bamboo or the Zoo. It is a critical road that has to be addressed,” the Minister emphasised.

He informed that money from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the Road Maintenance Fund (RMF) and from the 2015/16 Budget will be used to do the work.

The Minister said that after discussions with members of the Technical Team and State Minister Azan, an announcement will be made by next week regarding the scope of work and a definite budget for the project.

He added that the National Works Agency (NWA) will be charged with the responsibility of undertaking the work.