Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the US$81 million project, the Prime Minister said the Bypass represents the dawning of a new era of mobility, opportunity and resilience for Portland.

“From the early days of our administration we made a clear commitment to modernize Jamaica’s infrastructure and ensure that no parish, no town, no community is left behind. The Port Antonio Bypass Project is the latest expression of that commitment.  It represents an investment in Portland’s growth, in its tourism potential, in its ability to attract capital, create jobs and build wealth for its citizens” he stated.

The Prime Minister added that the Bypass Project is “a strategic initiative with national importance”, adding that for decades Port Antonio has been one of Jamaica’s hidden gems, blessed with natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, but held back by limited access and inadequate infrastructure.

“The current route through the town centre, while scenic, adds to the traffic congestion in the town.  It is vulnerable to flooding and coastal erosion, and it cannot accommodate the scale of development we envision for this area”.

The Port Antonio Bypass, he said, will solve these issues.

“The new 18 kilometre corridor divided into 2 phases, will divert through traffic from the fragile, congested, coastal town centre, cutting travel time, reducing transport costs and unlocking vast development potential inland. In so doing, it will unlock new commercial zones, stimulate land development and create room for expansion, while maintaining Port Antonio as a quiet coastal retreat, but with a thriving economic hub”, he explained.

Meanwhile, Minister without Portfolio Hon. Robert Morgan noted that the Bypass, is a critical extension of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP).

“In April this year, Cabinet approved a variation of the existing (SCHIP) contract, with an allocation of $81 million US dollars for construction and $521 million Jamaican dollars for the acquisition of land for the project.  This is not just a road.  It is a development corridor, a climate resilient artery and a signal of our intent as a Government to continue building Jamaica”, he stated

Phase 1 of the Bypass Project runs 7 kilometers from Norwich to Turtle Crawl Harbour, while Phase 2 encompasses the 11 kilometers from Turtle Crawl Harbour to Boston Bay.

Works on the project will include the construction of four (4) lanes; the construction of median jersey barriers for phases 1A and 1B; earth and pavement works; the installation of traffic signals, conduits and fibre ducts, as well as the construction of five new bridges.

The contractor on the project is China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC).