Fairfield bridge to be completed next year

Saturday, November 21, 2009 3:36 PM

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Western News

Thursday, October 29, 2009

MONTEGO BAY, St James - The National Works Agency (NWA) expects to complete its new two-lane, $170-million bridge in Fairfield early next year.

The new structure, which will replace the single-lane Fairfield Bridge, is being constructed downstream to the left of the existing bridge.

The new structure which will replace the single lane Fairfield Bridge is being constructed downstream to the left of the existing bridge.

"The project involves the driving of piles; the reinforcement of the abutment with concrete; the assembling and launching of the bridge parts," said Janel Ricketts, the NWA community relations officer for the western region, noting that she expected the work to be completed over the next four months.

She added that the multi-million project also involves the construction of sidewalks; the installation of the guard rails; road signs and other safety features.

Ricketts said the piling phase of the project is complete and the contractor is now focusing on reinforcing the abutment with concrete.
The new bridge is being constructed under the NWA's R.A. Murray Priority Bridge Programme.

Ricketts said the construction of the bridge will complement plans to reconstruct 1.5 kilometer of roadway leading from the Airfield and West Green intersection to the new facility.

The reconstruction of the roadway, she added, will be completed under Segment 1A of the Northern Coastal Highway Improvement Project which also involves the dualisation of the Bogue main road in St James.

Meanwhile, plans are well advanced to construct a new bridge at Troy in Trelawny.

The facility which is expected to cost $60 million, will replace the existing old bridge in the community.

" The bridge will be able to accommodate two lanes of traffic and will be equipped with sidewalks and guard rails, among other safety features," Ricketts said.