WITH the deadline for the implementation of the May Pen to Williamsfield toll further delayed, vendors, on what is now considered the old road, say they are disappointed as not much traffic has been traversing that side.

For decades, restaurants, roadside eateries, bars and vending spots in Clarendon and Manchester have been go-to places and rest stops for commuters travelling between Kingston, Mandeville and other points west along the south coast.

The highway — which lowers travel time between Kingston, Mandeville and other points west — was opened on September 14, 2023 toll-free.

The highway bypasses once- thriving business locations between May Pen and Porus.

Whitney Turn fruit vendor Heyward McLean expressed his disappointment with the toll-free extension.“We a suffer round here and we nah get no compensation. The whole of my load spoil off. We need some cash. We pocket mawga,” he told the Jamaica Observer.“We would like for them to start toll so that some of the vehicles can come back around here. Some of the people [are] not going to be able to afford three tolls to reach a town,” he added, in reference to motorists who are tolled at Vineyards in St Catherine, May Pen, Clarendon, and now at Williamsfield, Manchester.

Scott’s Pass bar operator Leroy “Elder Busta” Clemmence shared similar sentiments.“Round yah suh get mash up from January until now. Nothing nah gwaan round yah suh fi nobody. We not making any money at the bars, the fruit stalls. Everything get messed up. When it [toll] we will give thanks,” he said.In a notice on Friday, the National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC) announced the third extension since January.“The commencement of tolling on the May Pen to Williamsfield Highway, scheduled for August 17, 2024, will be further delayed.“NROCC appreciates the public’s continued patience and understanding. Relevant updates will be provided as soon as they become available,” the company said.

NROCC is responsible for overseeing the design, construction and maintenance of Jamaica’s highways.The May Pen to Williamsfield leg includes approximately 23 kilometres of a four-lane, arterial divided highway on a new alignment and approximately five kilometres of the existing Melrose Hill Bypass, now a four-lane, arterial divided highway.