THE first phase of the Montego Bay urban park project, already over budget by about $150,000, is expected to be completed 12 weeks behind schedule.

According to the implementing agency, the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the delay and price increase stemmed from bad weather and the need to relocate equipment from two utility companies.

“(The project) has experienced a slight delay due to the recent flood rains as well as the fact that a Cable and Wireless telephone box and a JPSCo utility pole had to be relocated. TPDCo had to await responses from both companies to proceed,” the company said in a release issued in response to questions from the Observer.

“The work on the park was 60 per cent complete up to June 6, 2002, with a new date for completion set for the end of August. The contract, which was originally signed for $3.7 million, has increased by a little under $150,000 which will cover the cost of electrical poles and the telephone box, and were not factored into the original contract,” the release said.

According to TPDCo, the work done on the project to date includes the levelling of the area to facilitate proper drainage, the marling and compaction of the site and the installation of curbs to distinguish between the roadway, pedestrian and parking areas.

Work in progress includes:

* the installation of surface drains;

* the construction of planter boxes;

* the installation of the electrical infrastructure; and

* and the decorative walkway is 50 per cent completed.

The project, which is being done by Cornwall Asphalt and Paving Limited, is being implemented as a part of TPDCo’s mandate to improve and enhance the tourism product. The urban park covers the area between the St James Resident Magistrate’s Court, the Montego Bay Number One Post Office and the St James Parish Library.

The work, which is being done in three phases, will involve the erection of park benches, landscaping, installation of garbage bins and designated areas for vending.

The ongoing first phase involves infrastructural work, phase two will include landscaping and the erection of street furniture while the third phase will see the creation of the car park. During work on the first phase a temporary car park has been created on a section of the premises that houses the parish library.