THE Toll Authority has published proposed rates of up to $3,700 each one-way to use the newly opened North-South Link of Highway 2000 and has given the public until March 21 to submit their views, in writing, on the suggested charges.

The highway, which fully opened to the public last week with a section (from Caymanas to Linstead) still available free of charge, was built by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) at a cost of US$730 million. Expected to significantly reduce travel time between the country’s north and south coasts, the highway is one of the biggest developments to happen in Jamaica over several decades.

But, according to the Notice of Intention published in both major newspapers yesterday, the proposed rate for Class 3 vehicles such big buses and trucks travelling the entire 66.14-kilometre stretch of the highway leg — from Caymanas in St Catherine to Mammee Bay in St Ann or vice versa — is $3,700, just a shade under the capped rate of $3,710.

For Class 2 vehicles such as pickups and large sport utility vehicles, the proposed rate to use the same stretch of road is $2,450, $25 less than the capped rate, while the proposed rate for Class 1 vehicles, such as motor cars, is $1,220, $15 lower than the capped rate of $1,235.

Meanwhile, the proposed rates for entry at Caymanas to Linstead, Unity Valey and Lydford are $2,980, $1,980 and $1,000 for Class 3, Class 2 and Class 1 vehicles, respectively. All are just a few dollars lower than the capped rates.

The proposed rates for class 4 for vehicles (motor bikes), range from a high of $600 to use the entire stretch of roadway, to a low of $80 to use the 9.55-km stretch between Caymanas and Angels.

For motorists in Class 1 who wish to traverse to/from Angels via Mammee Bay, the proposed rate is $1,080 which also happens to be the maximum toll rate that can be charged for this 57-km leg of the highway.

The proposed rate for Class 2 motorists is $2,150, which is $10 short of the maximum that can be charged, while the rate for motorists in Class 3, is $3,200 — $40 less than the maximum of $3,240.

The proposed and capped rate for Class 4 vehicles, according to the toll order, is $540.

Additionally, Class 3 motorists travelling between Ocho Rios and Linstead — a 39-km stretch — could be asked to pay up to $2,200, if the proposed rate is approved. The proposed rate for Class 2 vehicles to use the same stretch is $1,480, and for Class 1, $740 while the rate for Class 4 vehicles stand at $360, $15 short of the maximum rate.

Yesterday, Ivan Anderson, managing director of the National Road Operating and Construction Company, told the

Jamaica Observer that a final decision will be made on proposed rates when views of the public are assessed,

“The process is that they (rates) have been advertised and once comments have been received, they are collated and reviewed and then a decision will be taken as to whether or not to amend the rates,” Anderson said.

He added that the decisions regarding the proposed rates were made by CHEC and that they took into consideration the distance to be travelled as well as the kilometre rate per hour and that as many of the possible options have been included.

There is not yet a set date for the rates to take effect, but Anderson has indicated that motorists could start paying to use the road come the end of this month once all the legal proceedings have been completed.