The National Works Agency (NWA) is reporting that the multibillion-dollar legacy road infrastructure upgrading projects, aimed at improving traffic flow in the Corporate Area and Westmoreland, should be completed by year end.
The projects fall under the Government of Jamaica’s Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP), which is being financed through a concessionary loan from the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Export-Import Bank of China.
These developments are the US$56-million Hagley Park Road Improvement Project, the US$1.1-million Barbican Road Upgrade Project, US$19-million Constant Spring Road Improvement Project, the US$64-million Mandela Highway Realignment and Reconstruction Project, and the US$24.9-million Ferris Cross to Mackfield Project.
The NWA’s Communication and Customer Services Manager, Stephen Shaw says that “steady progress” is being made on the projects, which are at varying stages of completion.
Mr. Shaw informs that 95 per cent of the Hagley Park Road development has already been done, pointing out that “it is our intention to bring that figure closer to 100 before the end of October”.
The overall Constant Spring road improvement project is 85 per cent complete.
Barbican Road is about 98 per cent complete.
Mr. Shaw advises that the US$64-million Mandela Highway Realignment and Reconstruction project is 99 per cent complete.
The Communication Manager also informs that the Ferris Cross to Mackfield Road in Westmoreland is nearing 100 per cent completion.
Meanwhile, he says work is progressing on Camp Road in Kingston, adding that the project is 65 per cent.
The Government’s legacy projects are being implemented by the NWA to improve the island’s road network in order to enhance the quality of life of citizens and stimulate economic growth and development.
Under the contractual arrangement, there is a “defect liability period” of up to one year in which the contractor is required to remedy any deficiencies that may occur.
They are being executed by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), with the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation having responsibility for administering the concessionary loan.
