MONTEGO BAY, St James — There is a buzz of activity in several rural communities across the western region of the island as a number of road improvement projects are in progress under the Government’s Housing Opportunity Prosperity Employment Programme (HOPE).

Community Relations Officer at the National Works Agency (NWA), Janel Ricketts, says 24 road sections across the parishes of Hanover, St James, Trelawny and Westmoreland are being targeted under the initiative at a cost of roughly $100 million.

The programme involves the bushing of verges, drain cleaning, drainage improvement and the rehabilitation of road surfaces.

Among the roadways which are now receiving attention, are the Baggie Valley roadway in Westmorland; Solas Lane and Sandy Bay in Hanover; the Allsides to Dry Land corridor in Trelawny; and the Farm roadway in St James. Ricketts said these projects are at varying stages of completion.

Meanwhile, residents have welcomed HOPE, which is giving well-needed attention to community roadways, some of which have been in a deplorable state for an extended period.

Baggie Valley resident Una James expressed her delight with the project, which is now underway in her community.

“Mi feel so nice mi can’t even explain… mi heart is overjoyed to see what happening here,” James said.

She added that the rehabilitation of the roadway, which was in a poor condition for many, many years, has come as a pleasant surprise to her.

Other residents, who were all elated with the latest development, expressed similar sentiments.

“I look forward to not having to take off my shoes, when I am going out. Wi used to have to walk with two pairs of shoes, because of how the road was bad, especially when it rained, wi shoes would be so muddy,” said Claudette Gayle, another Baggie Valley resident.

Gayle added that it was hard to secure public transportation to venture into the community, as most taxi operators were turned off by the condition of the roadways.

Completion of the projects is expected by year-end.

The HOPE replaces the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP).