WORK on the Sandy Bay/May Pen leg of Highway 2000 will begin in a few days, Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry announced yesterday.

The work, which is expected to last 19 months will cover some 10.3 kilometres of roadway, ending just east of the Rio Minho bridge at Glenmuir Road. Contractors have since February 28 began preliminary works on the site in preparation for the start of the major project, according to the minister.

Henry made the announcement while speaking at the commissioning of newly installed traffic signals along the intersection of the Halse Hall main road and the entrance to the Jamalco Plant.

Technical advisor at the National Road Operating & Constructing Co Ltd (NROCC), David Rogers said residents within the construction belt will not be negatively affected by the road work. “People who were living on the lands that will be used for the project were already relocated and the necessary demolition of buildings done,” Roger said.

However, although the road work on the toll road will not cross the current main road, Rogers said some side roads will be affected but assured that the necessary alternate arrangements will be made.

The work is being undertaken by Bouygues Travaux Publics, the French builders of the highway.