A contract, valued at 163.5 million dollars, was signed this morning (October 24), for the rehabilitation of one-point-eight (1.8) kilometers of road  from Friendship to Hurlock in St. James, under Phase Three of the comprehensive roadworks being undertaken on the 19-kilometer stretch of road from Fairfield to Point in the parish.

Speaking at this morning’s signing ceremony at Jamaica House, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness noted that the proposal was for the entire stretch from Fairfield to Point to be rehabilitated in three phases as it would prove too costly to undertake the entire project all at once.

“If we did it at once, it would cost probably about 1.5 billion dollars just to do a 19 kilometer road.  So that means several other communities in Jamaica would not be attended to, so we had to do it in small pieces”, the Prime Minister stated.

To date, two (2) phases have been completed along the Fairfield to Point corridor.

Under Phase One, 1.6 kilometres of roadway was rehabilitated between Fairfield and Retirement, from the Fairfield Bridge to Taylor Avenue at a cost of $74,112,000.  Phase Two saw another 2.3 kilometres of the roadway being rehabilitated starting at Taylor Avenue to Friendship at a cost of $114,416,750.

Phase Three is being funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) through the Maintenance of Secondary Roads Programme.

Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Clifford Warmington noted that the rehabilitation of the road was critical, as it is in a deplorable condition, and is heavily used, as it is one of the gateways to upper St. James and links the parish of St. Elizabeth.

“It connects the rural section of Southern St. James such as Maroon Town, and Garland, Eddersle, Maggoty and Balaclava in St. Elizabeth  with the city of Montego Bay.  Along this controlled section are several residential communities  commercial entities and tourism factions such as, Estuary Housing Scheme, Johns Hall Adventure Tours, Hall Aggregates Crighton Quarry and the Retirement landfill”, Minister Warmington noted.

The design for Phase three comprises more than 50 millimeters sub-base, 150 millimeters base course and 75 millimeters of asphaltic concrete overlay will be added.

“This design is necessary based on the high traffic volume, especially with the heavy duty vehicles associated with the quarries, landfill and all the commercial activities in that locale.  Additionally, the impact of these large units on the pavement, as they often exceed the limit of their axle loads, necessitates this design”, Minister Warmington added.