TRELAWNY — Prime Minister P J Patterson on Friday broke ground for the US$60M second segment of the North Coast Highway Project that will span 95 kilometres between the resort areas of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.

With the embarrassing delays that have plagued the first segment that runs from the western city to Negril, the Patterson administration is banking on the smooth completion of the second segment which is expected to be completed by April 2004.

“We have learnt a great deal from what happened on segment one and we are determined that history must not repeat itself,” the prime minister told the crowd gathered under a tent in Braco, Trelawny. “We have, therefore, divided this segment into four sections.”

The 27.42 kilometres from Montego Bay to the proposed Falmouth bypass will be the first section, while the 41.77 kilometres from the bypass to Salem will be covered under sections two and three, and the fourth section will include the 21.81 kilometres between Salem and Ocho Rios.

On Thursday the Argentinean contractors, Jose Cartallone Construcciones Ltd, pledged to have the work completed on time and within budget.

“Our commitment of quality with our clients, the consultants and the local community is absolute,” said representative, Gustavo Briezza. “You should know that Cartallone is an ISO 9000 certified company and, in its 85 years of existence, has never failed to complete a project within the contract schedule and requirement and this is a record we intend to keep. Keeping this record in mind we have started to mobilise even before we were required to, by the contract.”

Previous large scale infrastructural projects in the western end of the island — such as the highway’s first phase, the South Gully Drainage Improvement project, the Montego Bay and Negril Sewerage projects as well as the Montego Bay Civic Centre have all been plagued by delays. Work has been hampered by a wide cadre of activities including industrial action, thugs demanding jobs on site, fights on site, a lack of funding and problems with the contractors.

Patterson’s ruling People’s National Party has been pushing the line that for the next general elections constitutionally due by January 2003, they will push their performance in a number of areas including roadwork.

But yesterday, the prime minister charged that the groundbreaking was no election gimmick.

“The total time for construction is 30 months; that means to say it will be completed on or about April 2004. So let me make it clear, this is not an election road, this is a development road,” Patterson said to loud cheers from supporters clad in red. “But having said that, I also want to make it clear that I am breaking ground for the road and if God gives me life I intend to open the road. I, therefore, hope that the work will proceed on schedule, I hope it will be done in industrial peace and harmony, and done without any cost overrun.”