PM Pleased with Progress of Montego Bay Perimeter Road
By: , October 17, 2024
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), tours a section of the Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project in St. James on October 16. Also on the tour was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (second right), who is Member of Parliament for St. James North Western.The Full Story
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says he is pleased with the progress being made on the construction of the new Montego Bay Perimeter Road in St. James.
He said that the road, which is part of the Jamaica 60 legacy projects, is already 50 per cent completed and is on track to be ready in 2025.
“The Montego Bay Perimeter Road is not only a bypass for Montego Bay but also involves improvements to various roads within Montego Bay [proper] and the Long Hill bypass. I am very impressed with what I have seen,” he said.
“The infrastructure work is impressive… already 50 per cent completed for such a massive project, which will include a four-lane bridge that I am told will be the longest in Jamaica,” he added.
The Prime Minister was speaking to journalists following a tour of the road project on October 16, starting at Dr. Horace Chang Boulevard in Ironshore and ending at the construction materials testing laboratory in Irwin.
Describing the Montego Bay Perimeter Road project as a “defining legacy” for the west, Dr. Holness said the primary objective is to enhance efficiency and productivity by alleviating traffic congestion and frustration, ultimately driving economic growth.
He contended that not only will the new road improve the quality of life for residents but will also benefit various sectors, including business process outsourcing (BPO) and tourism, by reducing travel time and enhancing accessibility for workers and visitors alike.
The Prime Minister commended contractors China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), adding that he is pleased to see the integration of the local labour force in the project.
“I saw during the tour young people working as laborer, foremen, site managers, engineers, welders and so on,” he pointed out, noting that the country will benefit from the training and experience that the local workers will gain by working on a project of this magnitude.
Dr. Holness noted that the country will also benefit from the establishment of the construction testing laboratory by China Harbour, which will be handed over to the University of the West Indies (UWI) upon completion of the road.
“It is intended to support research initiatives related to future projects in Montego Bay, further enhancing the region’s infrastructure and development capabilities,” he said.