Prime Minister Officially Opens Rehabilitated Gravel Lane in Montego Bay

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, officially opened the rehabilitated Gravel Lane in Montego Bay, St. James, on Monday (January 8).

The roadway, which is described as the first brick road in the Second City, was repaired under the St. James Municipal Corporation’s signature project, at a cost of $2 million.

The popular stretch of road underwent a well-needed facelift with the installation of bricks and metal bars to prevent the entry of motor vehicles.

Mr. Holness said that the repair of the roadway forms part of the mandate given to the island’s local government.

“I am particularly pleased to see this. As you walk up this lane, you will see how it has just been lifted by just changing a rough surface into a smooth area using bricks. So, the aesthetics, how the place looks, has been improved and that is the mandate that we have given to our local government,” he noted.

He added that while national development is necessary, citizens must feel development in their communities.

“The simple things can elevate how people feel about themselves just by how we improve the communities. So important things like garbage collection, keeping our streets clean, improving our markets and paving our roadways – those things make people feel better about themselves and their communities,” Mr. Holness emphasised.

The Prime Minister commended Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, for his part in spearheading the project.

In an interview with JIS News, Mr. Vernon, who also serves as Councillor for the Montego Bay South Division, outlined that improving Gravel Lane was a necessity.

“We saw that it was important to address that particular road and to improve the aesthetics, given that it is in the town centre and it is an area that once you improve it, it will improve walkability, and that is important within the city of Montego Bay because we are now on the mission to realise urban renewal,” Councillor Vernon said.

He added that citizens appreciate the street’s facelift and called the rehabilitation the beginning of a larger urban renewal project that will unfold within the City.

The official opening of Gravel Lane formed part of a working visit by Mr. Holness, several Government Ministers and other political officials to the parish.