KINGSTON, Jamaica — Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Karl Samuda has signed two contracts for the rehabilitation of approximately 60 kilometres of roadway between the Long Pond Estate in Trelawny and the Appleton Factory in St Elizabeth under the Sugar Transformation Programme.

The ministry, in a release today said, the work is to be completed over the next two financial years under the Cane Haul Roads Rehabilitation Project.

The project will connect these two major sugar-producing areas and provide improved access for the transportation of cane by trucks, while allowing an easier commute for residents and workers of surrounding communities.

Works will include the rehabilitation of the main road pavement, including the installation of new curb walls and concrete drainage channels. Gabion walls and other earth retaining structures will be constructed and a section of the roadway will also be realigned resulting in the shortening of the existing corridor by three kilometres.

Stone Plus Limited has been awarded both contracts to carry out the works through a competitive tender process. Under the Cane Haul Roads Rehabilitation Project Phase 1, Package 1 Contract, Stone Plus Limited will carry out roadwork from Deeside to Shaw Castle in Trelawny for $111,904,588.40. Work will be carried out by the same company from Arcadia- Eldersly to Jointwood in St Elizabeth under the Phase 1, Package 2 Contract that is valued at $136,125,025.20.

The two contracts were signed today at the ministry’s Hope Gardens offices.