ST ANDREW, Jamaica — China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) is gearing up to commence preparatory works for the rehabilitation and expansion of the110-kilometre corridor linking the parishes of Kingston, St Andrew, St Thomas and Portland, under the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP).

The US$384-million project forms the only route linking the eastern parishes with capital city Kingston. Funding for the project has been secured through a loan from the China EXIM Bank.

In a release today, CHEC said works will include realignment and widening of the existing corridor and major rehabilitation of the road from Morant Bay to Cedar Valley.

“As usual we will ensure that the project is delivered cost-effectively and on time. Importantly also, we will make every effort to employ workers from neighbouring communities to complement the skills and technical capabilities of Chinese workers who, of necessity, need to undertake critical elements of the project,” said Dr Zhimin Hu, vice president of CHEC Americas Division.