Gov't says Southern Coast Highway project to begin by year end

The Government says work on the Southern Coast Highway Improvement Project will begin by year-end.

The Office of the Prime Minister, in a statement, said the final design work for the Harbour View to Yallahs leg of the project will be completed by the middle of the year.

"The Government reiterates that it remains committed to ensuring that the people of St Thomas and Portland have a good road network," the OPM statement read.

The Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project will see the rehabilitation of approximately 110 kilometres of roadway between Harbour View in east Kingston and Port Antonio in Portland.

Residents have complained about the delays in starting the project and have expressed disappointment that the government has reduced funding for it.

The government had set aside $3.6 billion for the project at the start of the current financial year but spending was cut by $1.4 billion and $1.7 billion in the first and second supplementary estimates, respectively.

This has left $490 million for the project, which will be done by China Harbour Engineering Company.

Speaking in the House of Representative recently Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke explained that the delays in starting the project were to ensure that the Government secures the most favourable contractual arrangements.

Meanwhile, the Government has listed five priority roads that it said will be done under the South Coast Highway Improvement Project.

These roads, it said, will be done by local sub-contractors.

These projects are expected to go out for tender before the end of the 2018/2019 financial year.

The roads are:

Hordley to Long Road
Manchioneal to Fair Prospect 
Morant Bay to Serge Island   
Serge Island to Cedar Valley     
Morant Bay to Prospect   

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