Consider artistic installations on highway rock faces
Published:Friday | June 27, 2025 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
The Government of Jamaica through its Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, in conjunction with the China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), has constructed major highway projects along the eastern and western sections of Jamaica.
The engineers and their construction crews have renewed the landscape by cutting the limestone rock hillsides to expose creamy-white rock faces along these highway corridors. These rock faces are like a blank canvas for an artistic expression and installation.
I am, as an octogenarian, recommending five ideas that the prime minister and his team can consider:
1. Map of Jamaica – This installation would be constructed of concrete, with reinforced steel bars to give strength and stability. When painted, it would reveal the counties of Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey.
2 Flag of Jamaica – Both installations would be painted in the national colours.
3. Key signs – safety messages for travelling motorists, such as (1) Reduce Speed; (2) Danger Ahead; (3) School Zone; (4) No Overtaking; (5) Don’t Drink and Drive. These are but some of the short, concise messages that remind motorists to practise as they drive.
4. Planter boxes – these can be planted with low maintenance floral plants of bright tropical colours and green shrubbery. The boxes can be constructed of either (1) wooden tree trunks; or (2) cast cement boxes; or (3)used heavy-duty tyres; or (4) other industrial ceramic items that will give an artistic pop and attraction to the passing travellers and around the base of each installation, to add more beauty to the area.
5.Installation of sculptured heads of our national heroes or Jamaican musicians who came from the area of that parish, something like at Mount Rushmore in Keystone, US, to remember and honour their contributions to our music and culture.
These proposed installations will bring cultural pride and a desire to promote safety on our roads, love for Jamaica, and to add beauty as we drive along our new highway corridors. These installations would be a long-term pride and joy that all people and visitors too, would warmly appreciate along our northern and southern highways in the many years to come, and look forward to the implementation.
FITZROY BARNETT
Retired Painting Consultant