THE delay-plagued South Gully Drainage Improvement Project should be completed by next week and traffic congestion within Montego Bay substantially reduced as a result, according to public relations officer for the National Works Agency (NWA), Stephen Shaw.

Over the years the South Gully Project has been a bane on the western resort city with its numerous delays and on-site demonstrations by workers, which dragged the project past one completion date after another.

Coupled with the soon to be completed US$125-million civic centre and the rerouting of traffic to accommodate infrastructural work, the South Gully contributed significantly to the city’s traffic congestion.

Shaw, however, cautioned that, as is the case with all major infrastructure projects, maintenance work would be undertaken over six months after completion.

“Even though they (workers) will not be doing anything major to impede traffic, they will be doing maintenance for the next six months or so,” he said.

To date South Street, Creek Street and Dome Street, which were closed to vehicular traffic have been rehabilitated and reopened and work (with respect to the project) along the Howard Cooke Boulevard has been completed.

Meanwhile, the Observer has learned that the St James Parish Council would be moving ahead with plans to develop public parks on areas along the project site.

They will also be working with the police to ensure that traffic along St James Street, South Street and Harbour Street flows freer to lessen traffic congestion along Strand Street.