Perimeter Road to Usher in New Phase of Development for Mobay – PM
By: , January 11, 2024
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), looks on as Managing Director of the National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC), Stephen Edwards (left), outlines the scope of works on the Montego Bay Perimeter Road in St. James during a tour of the project on Monday (January 8). The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second left); Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte (third right); and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (right).
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (third right), greets local workers on the Montego Bay Perimeter Road in St. James during a tour on Monday (January 8). Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte (right), looks on.The Full Story
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Montego Bay Perimeter Road will lift the Second City to a new level of development.
He said the completion of the project will foster a surge in investments in St. James in areas such as housing.
“I’m confident that when this project is finished, the city of Montego Bay will enter a new phase of its development. I want you to stop for a moment and think of what it would mean to have 5,000 less cars daily congesting the city of Montego Bay,” he said.
The US$274.5-million project involves construction of a 14.9-kilometre roadway to bypass the city.
It also includes rehabilitation of Barnett Street and West Green Avenue, a 10.5-kilometre Long Hill bypass road, and a comprehensive drainage study of Montego Bay.
Prime Minister Holness, who toured the project on Monday (January 8), where more than 60 per cent of the roadway is already excavated, said that the work is progressing well.
“We’re very interested to see the supporting infrastructure. I’ve already seen on the drawing several interchanges that will be put in place in addition to significant drainage, culverts, and other supporting civil infrastructure to make sure that the road will last for a very long time,” he said.
“Behind me you’re seeing the steel members being fabricated… which will form the foundation of possibly the longest bridge to be constructed in Jamaica,” he pointed out.
Mr. Holness said that one notable aspect of the project is the “meticulous organisation of the local labour force”.
He noted that significant efforts have been invested in fostering harmonious labour relations and providing comprehensive training for the Jamaicans working on the project.
Preserving the environment has also been a priority, he said, particularly as the construction cuts through previously untouched forested areas.
The Prime Minister indicated that careful measures have been taken to avoid disturbing bird sanctuaries and safeguarding any discovered artefacts.
The Montego Bay Perimeter Road is a collaboration between the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).