A study of the proposed South Coast Highway project is at an advanced stage and is to be completed the end of fiscal year next March, junior works minister Richard Azan announced this week.

Azan, speaking in the House of Representatives, said the study includes the road from Port Antonio, Portland to Harbour View, St Andrew and from Mandeville, Manchester to Negril, Westmoreland.

Being undertaken by the National Works Agency (NWA), through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank, the study will assess and design the preferred alignment of the proposed South Coast highway from Port Antonio to Harbour View (Phase I); and Negril to Mandeville (Phase II).

The junior minister, who was making his sectoral debate presentation, also announced that the project for replanting of mangroves along the Palisadoes shoreline has been allocated $50 million.

In the meantime, he said the Elegant Corridor Lighting Project will get underway this year, utilising a grid-powered street lighting option.

“The tender process is well advanced and the contract is expected to be (signed) shortly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Azan said work is to be done on the Toms River to Agualta Vale in St Mary and Sour Sop Turn to Chapleton in Clarendon. With regards to the Sour Sop Turn to Chapleton in Clarendon, he said the Minister of Transport and Works Omar Davies will sign the contract next month to start phase one of the 10.5- kilometre project.