Negotiations Underway to Restart Work Under National Road Improvement Programme

Negotiations are underway to access funds for the completion of road rehabilitation works under the National Road Improvement Programme (NARIP).
Some 152 roads were identified for upgrading under the project, ranging from flat coastal plains to steep rugged mountains and carry traffic volume loads varying from 2,000 to less than 100 vehicles per day.
As stated in the Transport and Works Ministry’s Highlights of Agency Performance 2004/2005 document, which was tabled in Parliament on June 14 by Minister Robert Pickersgill, the work being undertaken will protect the pavement against water damage.
According to the document, of the 152 roads identified, 102 have surpassed 95 per cent completion, 28 roads are between 75 to 95 per cent complete, whereas 17 road projects fall below 75 per cent completion.
“The government experienced financial difficulties that affected the project and works were suspended in January 2004. Negotiations are underway to restart work on 44 roads at an estimated cost of $982 million. Six of these roads have been transferred to the Caribbean Development Bank Programme,” the document reported.
Meanwhile, a number of roads have been completed under the Corporate Area Road Improvement Project, which is geared at improving major intersections and corridors in Kingston and St. Andrew.
Thirteen corridors were identified under the project, which is being financed through the Road Maintenance Fund. These are East King’s House Road; Barbican Road/Russell Heights intersection; Half-way-Tree Road; Old Hope Road/Munroe/Road/Stanton Terrace; Constant Spring Road/Shortwood Road and Constant Spring/Dunrobin intersection and Eastwood Park Road.
Improvements have been completed along Half-way-Tree Road, Old Hope Road and Eastwood Park at a cost of $105 million, while work is ongoing in the other projects.
Also, under the Flood Damage Rehabilitation Programme, over 40 contract packages are being executed island wide with approximately 98 of the 144 roads or 85 per cent completely rehabilitated.
Turning to Hurricane Ivan restoration, the document stated that in January, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the government of Jamaica agreed that some US$4.2 million would be reallocated to fund a programme of repairs to roads damaged by the hurricane. An additional US$3 million was also allocated to this programme.
According to the document, 52 contracts have been awarded and work is underway on 32 sites across the island. The works are focused mainly at replacing damaged structures while designs for the remaining 20 works are in progress and should be completed during the 2005/06 financial year.