New $59M Chesterfield Bridge In St. Mary Opened
By: , October 18, 2019The Key Point:
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (third left), walks across the new Chesterfield Bridge in St. Mary after officially opening it during a ceremony on Wednesday (October 16). Also pictured (from left) are: Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Audrey Sewell; Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Works, Everald Warmington; and Member of Parliament, St. Mary South Eastern, Dr. Norman Dunn. Also pictured in the second row between the Prime Minister and Dr. Dunn is Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz.
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (third left, second row), cuts the ribbon to symbolise the official opening of the Chesterfield Bridge in St. Mary during a ceremony on Wednesday (October 16). Also pictured (from left, second row) are: Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Audrey Sewell; Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Works, Hon. Everald Warmington; Member of Parliament for East Portland, Ann-Marie Vaz; and Member of Parliament, St. Mary South Eastern, Dr. Norman Dunn, while in the third row (from second left) are: Mayor of Port Maria, Councillor Richard Creary; and Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz.
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Residents traversing the new Chesterfield Bridge in St. Mary, which was officially opened by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during a ceremony on Wednesday (October 16).
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
The new Chesterfield Bridge in St. Mary, which was officially opened by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during a ceremony on Wednesday (October 16).The Facts
- The bridge, which runs across the Wag Water River, was officially opened to pedestrians and vehicular traffic during a ceremony on Wednesday (October 16).
- Prime Minister Holness said this formed part of the Government’s plan for the development of the north eastern end of the island which includes St. Mary, Portland and parts of St. Thomas.
The Full Story
Residents of Chesterfield in St. Mary now have improved access to their community following the opening of a $59-million bridge by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.
The bridge, which runs across the Wag Water River, was officially opened to pedestrians and vehicular traffic during a ceremony on Wednesday (October 16).
Prime Minister Holness said this formed part of the Government’s plan for the development of the north eastern end of the island which includes St. Mary, Portland and parts of St. Thomas.
He noted that there are other bridges being installed at Barracks River in the parish, as well as Tranquility in Portland and Mahogany Vale in St. Thomas.
“In the next financial year, we will make another allocation to do a similar project where we will seek to repair or replace bridges right across the island,” he said.
The Prime Minister said while he was pleased that the bridge is now complete, expressed concern that it took 14 months and not the six to seven months originally projected.
He pointed out, however, that the delay did not result from incompetence, but rather inclement weather, the need to source specialised equipment to erect the bridge, as well as the lengthy procurement process.
The works also included creating approach roads on both sides of the structure, which also took some time.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness noted that repairs to the Junction main road has commenced, and involves extensive work which includes the widening of corridor and grading of hillsides.
“Our intention is to widen and straighten the Junction Road going right back down to Stony Hill. It can’t be done overnight, but we are committed to sections and phases and, as our budget can carry, to have it done,” he said.
Mr. Holness also informed that work has also started on the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project.
Construction of the Chesterfield Bridge was done by the National Works Agency under the Major Infrastructure Development Project (MIDP).