KINGSTON, Jamaica — South East St Andrew Member of Parliament (MP), Julian Robinson, is urging the Government not to delay or abandon plans to develop the ‘Kingston corridor’.

Robinson said in a release Wednesday that the corridor, which is an infrastructure and works project, will see the revitalisation of the main transit route from the Norman Manley International Airport to New Kingston.

“Right now, the entire route from the airport along Windward Road up Mountain View Avenue is a wasted opportunity. I believe that instead of zinc fences and graffiti, we should be having restaurants, museums, shops, cultural yards, nightclubs, and more in a safe, welcoming environment. As the entryway to the city the Kingston corridor should reflect our reputation as the cultural capital of the Caribbean,” the MP argued.

In his Parliamentary report on his constituency, Robinson said the corridor would boost Kingston tourism and aesthetic appeal while creating commercial opportunities for residents and businesses along the route, where the National Stadium Complex and the proposed sports museum of Jamaica area also located.

Robinson said, until the recent change in administration, the concept had moved from mere thought to planning and execution, with the National Works Agency slated to begin the infrastructural works component and the Tourism Enhancement Fund earmarked for funding the project.

Work on the three-phased project should have started in 2016, with completion scheduled for 2017, the MP said.

The work was to include upgrades to pavements and curb walls, the installation of lighting and signage, the general beautification of nearly five kilometre roadway, and the socialisation of the communities along the route to accommodate tourism and legal commercial activities.

“We have before us an opportunity to revitalise a vast swath of the city, not just beautify it, but completely transform blighted areas into vibrant, empowered communities and to add tremendous value to Kingston tourism,” said Robinson.