NWA to Undertake Major Road Infrastructure Works

The Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, through the National Works Agency (NWA), will be embarking on a number of new programmes this fiscal year in continuation of its commitment to improving the nation’s road network.

This was disclosed by Minister of State in the Ministry, Hon. Richard Azan, during his contribution to the 2013/2014 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 5.

He informed that work will be done in the areas of road and infrastructure construction, repair and maintenance; and improvement of flood control and traffic management systems.

“It is important to maintain our internal road network, roads in urban centres, roads connecting our towns to rural Jamaica, river training, drainage network and traffic management”, Mr. Azan stated.

He informed that the NWA will be continuing a number of projects under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP), which are scheduled for completion this fiscal year.

The agency will also be targeting the construction of 25,000 m3 of random rubble walls; 225,000 m2 of patching; and 19,500 m2 of road rehabilitation with a combination of asphaltic concrete, double surface dressing and micro-surfacing.

“It is important to construct roads but it is well established that good surface and proper traffic management improve traffic flow and reduce congestion,” the State Minister said.

During the 2012/13 fiscal year several major projects were completed by the NWA.

These include: Palisadoes Shoreline Rehabilitation and Protection Project at a cost of US$65 million; the Christiana Development Road at a cost of US$10. 34 million; the Rio Grande Bridge at a cost of US$28.3 million; Cassia Park and Queensborough Bridges at a cost of $338.1 million; and the Yallahs Bunding Works at a cost of $118 million.

The agency also undertook some 500,000 m2 of patching (hot-mix and spray) under the Capital ‘A’ Budget, Road Maintenance Fund and JDIP.

Contact: Latonya Linton