ST JAMES, Jamaica — Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, says the city is on the verge of a major economic surge, driven by key infrastructure developments in the parish.

Two landmark tourism projects, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino along the Rose Hall main road and the Pinnacle Housing Development in Reading, are set to contribute approximately 3,000 additional rooms.

“This will add significantly to the economic architecture of Montego Bay to ensure that we can employ more persons, but also generate more for one of our leading industries, tourism. It will ensure that as a local economy we are competitive on a global scale,” he said.

Councillor Vernon was speaking at an infrastructure development tour of the parish on Tuesday, October 8.

He said that the Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project will play a significant role in alleviating the expected increased traffic flow into the city, which is already facing congestion.

“We have identified some nuances with traffic in particular, which we are confident that this road will help to [address],” he noted.

“Connecting from Ironshore to Montpelier [the road] will reduce the journey significantly, probably more than 60 per cent. Based on the plans that are being put in place, that journey will be about 20 minutes max,” he pointed out.

The Mayor noted, further, that road widening and signage will be undertaken.

“The Catherine Hall area to West Green, Westgate… and the area surrounding the airport will be addressed,” he said.

“We have undertaken a signage programme and road-marking programme to ensure that when persons enter the city of Montego Bay they know where and how to exit and how to enter properly,” he added.

He pointed out that these initiatives “will also reduce the inconveniences associated with getting lost within the space and creating traffic”.

– JIS