NWA to Rehabilitate 56 km of Road

The National Works Agency (NWA) is to rehabilitate approximately 56 kilometres of road at an estimated cost of almost $4 billion during this fiscal year.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan, made the announcement as he addressed the House of Representatives during the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate on June 5.

Among the roads listed are Scotts Cove to Belmont; Ferris Cross to Belmont in Westmoreland; and Red Hills to Santa Maria roadway, which are being funded through the Inter-American Development Bank/Government of Jamaica (IDB/GOJ) Transportation Infrastructure Rehabilitation Programme (TIRP).

Mr. Azan also informed that the Ministry has awarded a contract for phase two of the Red Hills to Bog Walk Road Rehabilitation Project, which spans the Sligoville to Bog Walk roadway, and will shortly complete the tender process for phase three of the Santa Maria to Sligoville project.

The cost for phase two from Sligoville to Bog Walk, St. Catherine, is estimated at US$3.5 million with a total of 9.6 kilometres of roadway to be rehabilitated.

“It is important to note that not only will these works extend the lifespan of these roadways, but once completed, the Bog Walk to Sligoville roadway will serve as an important link to the North Coast and as an alternative route when the Bog Walk Gorge is impassable or during inclement weather,” Mr. Azan noted.

He also announced plans for upgrading and improving the Junction Road in

St. Mary, which links Kingston to the North Coast. He said that the Ministry, through a collaborative effort between the GOJ and the Kuwaiti Fund for Arabic Economic Development (KFAED), plans to rehabilitate approximately 18 km of main road between Tom’s River and Aqualta Vale in St. Mary.

The Ministry will also commence civil works on the 5.5 kilometre stretch of the Junction roadway between Broadgate and Aqualta Vale.

Also up for rehabilitation is 31 km of roadway between May Pen and Trout Hall in Clarendon. Mr. Azan said the Ministry will be specifically focusing on the 10.2 kilometre section of the roadway between Sour Sop Turn and Chapelton during this fiscal year, with funding being provided through a collaborative effort between the GOJ and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).

Mr. Azan said the designs for these roads will significantly enhance their geometrics and improve road safety through wider lanes, drains, sidewalks and shoulders, where necessary.

He also informed that the JDIP Fern Gully Road Rehabilitation Project will be completed during the fiscal year.

Contact: Andrea Braham