The much-anticipated Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (Part-A), from May Pen to Williamsfield, was officially opened today (September 14, 2023), by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness during a ceremony at the new Toll Gate Plaza in Clarendon
The SCHIP Part A involved the construction of a brand-new four-lane divided highway, connecting May Pen to Williamsfield, and the transformation of the existing Melrose Hill Bypass into a four-lane divided highway.
Commuters can now look forward to a drastically reduced travel time of approximately 15 minutes along this route, contributing to enhanced connectivity, convenience and productivity.
In his address at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Holness noted that the new highway will increase productivity.
“This road is a step in improving the general quality of life for all Jamaicans, a step in improving the productivity of all Jamaicans and you can easily measure the productivity gain of this road, by the productivity loss in traffic, discomfort and the aggression it creates in driving on some of the other bad roads” the Prime Minister asserted.
According to Prime Minister Holness, a critical aspect of the project involved what is known as the “defects liabilities phase”.
“We’re not just building the road and then when the contractor leaves, that’s the end of it. There is a two-year defects liability period where China Harbour Engineering Company will be responsible for any construction-related or design-related defects on the infrastructure”, stated Prime Minister Holness.
He added that other considerations are given when constructing roads across the island.
“When we build roads we put in water mains, that are not just designed to treat with the population that exists now, but we are planning for populations to come. So, we are investing in significantly large water mains and not using old materials. We are using materials that will last hundreds of years. We are putting in fiber-optic cable. We are putting in other sensors in the road. Where necessary and possible, we put in sewage. But if you look at the roads that we are building today, you will see massive civil infrastructure investment…These roads will last your lifetime, and your children’s lifetime, and their children’s lifetime”, the Prime Minister stated.
Meanwhile, Minister with responsibility for the Works portfolio, Hon. Everald Warmington, described the newly completed highway as a testament to the Government’s unwavering dedication to the people of Jamaica.
“This leg of the highway represents more than just concrete, steel, and asphalt. It signifies development progress, connectivity, and the promise of a brighter future for all those who traverse the south coast of this country”, he noted.
Work on the 28-kilometer stretch of road, was completed by China Harbour Engineering Company, with oversight provided by the National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC), an agency of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.
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