Wood Hall to Get Box Culvert Bridge
By: , July 28, 2015The Key Point:
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
(Seated from left) Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller; Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan; Chief Executive Officer of the National Works Agency (NWA), Everton Hunter; and Managing Director of Alcar Construction and Haulage Company, Junior Leslie, affix their signatures to a contract for the construction of a box culvert bridge in the farming community of Wood Hall, St. Catherine. The signing ceremony was held at the Jamaica House Banquet Hall in Kingston on July 27. Observing (from left) are: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Audrey Sewell; Mayor of Spanish Town, Norman Scott; and Deputy Mayor and Councilor for the Ginger Ridge Division, Ralston Wilson.The Facts
- Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, who signed the contract this morning (July 27) at Jamaica House, said construction of the box culvert was the fulfillment of a promise to replace the existing structure, which has been severely damaged.
- Work is expected to begin on August 3, and will include demolition of the existing structure, earthworks, river protection works, the placing of reinforced bars, and base construction and double excavation.
The Full Story
The Government of Jamaica has awarded a $15.2 million contract to Alcar Construction and Haulage Company for the construction of a box culvert bridge in the West Central St. Catherine farming community of Wood Hall.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, who signed the contract this morning (July 27) at Jamaica House, said construction of the box culvert was the fulfillment of a promise to replace the existing structure, which has been severely damaged.
“The existing structure, to which I am referring, was constructed many years ago. The damage made it unsafe for use and eventually, it became impassable due to the degradation of the structure caused by the rainfall over these years,” she said.
“The structure got worst with the persistent rainfalls, which caused scouring and erosion to its embankments,” she added, noting that the new bridge will bring tangible benefits to the residents.
Work is expected to begin on August 3, and will include demolition of the existing structure, earthworks, river protection works, the placing of reinforced bars, and base construction and double excavation.
Other St. Catherine communities expected to benefit from the project are Ginger Ridge, Bellefield, Marlie Hill, Bellas Gate and Blue Hole.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the Government, through the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing and the National Works Agency (NWA), is determined to fix, modernise and improve the country’s road infrastructure.
“We are absolutely committed to overhauling the road network and repairing or replacing bridges…we are doing this in a systematic and planned way,” the Prime Minister said.