THE Tourism Product Development Company Ltd (TPDCo) has defended the $17-million price tag for the ‘Welcome to Montego Bay’ sign.

The TPDCo, in a statement, said: “The sign is a tropical contemporary interpretation of a traditional resort along a bay. It is the embodiment of the history of Montego Bay and will provide a total experience for locals as well as the millions of tourists who traverse the area. It must be noted that this is not just a sign but an attraction of first-world proportion which will have a dual façade that faces the east as well as the west. There is a lighting component where letters will be illuminated and are changeable to match the seasons.

“The area will also be landscaped and an irrigation component has been included to ensure the long term stability of the aesthetic maintenance,” said the statement.

The TPDCo said it consulted with National Works Agency engineers (the local authority for roads and works), both in the design phase and onsite. “Recommendations made by the agency have all been taken into account to ensure the safety of road users. Additionally, visible yield signs are being replaced as well as other safety features including the installation of speed strips and the refreshing of road markings,” according to the TPDCo.

The St James Municipal Corporation, the organisation said, has been contracted to execute the works and the cost breakdown includes a dual base facing the east and west, $8 million; lettering, $3 million; electrical work, $2 million; irrigation, $1 million; and a contingency sum of $3 milklion.

“Importantly, this is a budgeted sum and the agency prides itself in operating within and, in many cases, below budget. We believe that the city of Montego Bay as the tourism capital is deserving of this attraction to provide a sense of completeness to our major gateway, added the TPDCo statement.