KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr Omar Davies, says that commuters will start paying toll for using the new North-South Highway by the end of March.

“The full highway will be officially commissioned and handed over and tolling will commence by the end of March,” Dr Davies told the House of Representatives on Tuesday, in a statement on the ministry’s privatization issues.

“I am now in a position to indicate that the highway is 90 percent complete, and is being opened in phases as follows: Angels to Linstead will be opened by the end of January; Caymanas to Angels section will be opened by the end of February; and the section from Ocho Rios to Moneague will also be opened by the end of February,” the minister said.

Davies also reiterated that, as part of the arrangements with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), 1,200 acres of land will be provided to Chinese firm for secondary developments, once the highway is completed.

“In keeping with these arrangements, 150 acres have been approved for development at Mammee Bay, for the construction of 2,300 hotel rooms and 500 housing solutions. Design work on these developments will commence once the official handover of the highway has taken place,” Dr Davies said.

Balford Henry