ST JAMES, Jamaica— Worried that the $150 million in road works he intends to do over the next three months may not last, Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon is looking to the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) for help.

“We recommend that they (BSJ) investigate the impact of climate change on the longevity of materials currently used in the road construction materials and the suitability of alternative materials that may better withstand Jamaica’s environmental conditions,” he told Thursday’s monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation.

“We believe that the Bureau of Standards’ expertise in standard development and quality control is crucial to addressing this issue,” added the mayor, who is also councillor, Montego Bay South Division, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Speaking with Observer Online after the meeting, Vernon theorised that warmer than usual temperatures and erratic rainfall are affecting the road network. He suggested that the BSJ needs to make the necessary adjustments in how it operates.

“Can the materials they are passing now withstand the climatic conditions?” he queried.

For decades questions have been raised about the quality of work done on the country’s roads due to the appearance of potholes in many instances soon after repairs are done.

The potholes then morph into deep craters whenever it rains.

There have been many protests by angry commuters who complain that, for years, no repairs have been done to roads they use.

On Thursday, Mayor Vernon said there are plans for the municipal corporation to repair a number of roads in St James that have deteriorated over time.

“I have a list of roadways that we will complete between now and December of 2024; they value over $150 million,” he said.

He noted that the work was being done in partnership with the Tourism Enhancement Fund and the Tourism Product Development Company with the National Housing Trust also playing a critical role.

“We are going to do Providence Heights, Palm Tree Drive, Bogue Hill Road, Mount Zion Road, Plum Tree Drive, Cornwall Gardens, Catherine Mount, Charles Drive, Peace View Road, Jungle Road, Bottom Cambridge Road, Trench Town Road, Granada Crescent, Kasshan Corner, Carlton Road, Salters Hill Road, Anthony Hart Boulevard, Paisley Road, Richmond Hill, Copperwood, Lightbody Avenue, Love Lane to include the drainage, and several roads across the downtown area,” Vernon outlined.

He said that the municipal corporation has long been concerned that repairs do not last.

“We are particularly concerned because when we invest in these roads and they deteriorate quickly it compromises road safety, it increases maintenance costs, reduces the value of public investment and there are other negative impacts on economic development and tourism here in Montego Bay,” said the mayor.

“We urgently request that the Bureau of Standards Jamaica conducts research to determine the underlying causes of the premature deterioration in our roadways,” he added.