Roadways to be Improved

A number of the country’s roadways will be improved this fiscal year, with modern technology utilized in the process.
This, according to the Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Henry, who was making his contribution to the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 28.
“We are into new technical services, with critical expansion of many roadways and much more forward-thinking designing of the roads themselves. These include, among other measures: examining new applications and techniques, including cement roads; more in-depth base-line testing; improved road markings to foster greater safety among road users; and the introduction of high-tech traffic signals, which are capable of being controlled remotely from off-site locations,” Mr. Henry said.
The Minister also noted that static and portable weight scales will be put in place as a deterrent for operators of over-laden trucks, and to aid in protecting the integrity of the road surface.
“The static scales are slated for Rosend in St. Mary, and Harbour View in Kingston, for which design works are far advanced. Thanks to the European Union for loan support in this regard. This measure is to protect the investment of billions of dollars on the road annually, much of which has gone to waste over the years, due largely to abuse of the roadways,” Mr. Henry stated.
On another matter, the Minister informed that consultants submitted the final draft of the 10-year Road Master Plan in February. The European Union (EU), under a project with the Government of Jamaica, engaged consultants to prepare the plan and a road safety policy. The Government’s request for the disbursement of the first tranche of funding, amounting to 2.5 million euro, was also granted by the EU.
In May of last year, the National Transport Policy was tabled in the House as a White Paper.