Rehab Work on Rio Grande Valley Road Starts Next Week

Rehabilitation work on the Rio Grande Valley road, Portland, will commence next week as Government continues its efforts to improve the quality of the island’s road network.
Minister of Transport and Works, Hon. Mike Henry, made the announcement during a tour of the area on Wednesday (September 9), adding that the contract for the project will be signed next Tuesday and work expected to begin the following day.
The project, which is to be contracted to N.F. Barnes Construction Company, will be carried out in three phases, with phase one involving the construction of retaining walls and the repairing of the Alligator Church Bridge in the Seaman’s Valley area.
The total cost is estimated at approximately $900 million, with the wall construction component of phase one alone amounting to $200 million.

Minister of Transport and Works, Hon. Mike Henry, speaking with residents of the Rio Grande Valley area of Portland during a tour on Wednesday (September 9), when he announced that the rehabilitation of the road will begin next week.

The completion of the project will provide relief for the people of the area, as the road has been in a deplorable condition for many years, creating severe hardships for residents and hampering the development of communities.
Mr. Henry said the decision to rehabilitate the road was made out of the recognition that, the development of roads is critical to the social and economic upliftment of the people.
Commending the residents for the patience they have displayed in enduring the deplorable road conditions for years, he assured them that all the technical difficulties will be dealt with to ensure that the work is of the highest quality.
Declaring that his Ministry has a 10-year plan for road development, nationally, the Transport and Works Minister said it is important for Jamaicans to understand that it entails a large expenditure, which can only be procured over a long term period.
Accompanying Mr. Henry on the tour was Minister responsible for Information and Telecommunications in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and Member of Parliament for West Portland, Hon. Daryl Vaz, who reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring that the country’s roads are in the best condition.
He added that a contract, valued at $900 million, has also been awarded for the rehabilitation of the road in the Buff Bay Valley area of the parish.