Highway falls short on investment - Golding

Halse Hall, Clarendon:Prime Minister Bruce Golding has said the expected level of investment that should have come with the construction of Highway 2000 has not been realised.

He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 1B of Highway 2000 at Halse Hall Football Field, Clarendon, yesterday.

Golding noted that some level of investment has taken place as a result of the development of the highway, but he said more should have been achieved.

"The level of investment that was envisaged that would have taken place as a result of the development that has already taken place, so far has not been seen," said Golding.

"Infrastructure is necessary, but is not sufficient. Other things need to be done to create the conditions that will facilitate investment," he noted.

Golding said his administration had taken steps to create these conditions such as the lowering of interest rates and working to reduce crime and violence.

Milton Brown, mayor of Clarendon, said though he welcomed the highway, it would have some adverse effects on the communities through which it will run.

He said in addition to homes and communities being dislocated, the Halse Hall community playing field would have to be abandoned as the highway is slated to run through it.

The new phase of Highway 2000 is expected to run from Sandy Bay to May Pen (10.5 km). Construction will last for 19 months. The project is valued at US$ 209.8 million.

- Jermaine Francis