KINGSTON, Jamaica — Work on the Grange Lane dualisation project in St Catherine is now 60 per cent complete.

This was announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who provided a project update during a statement to the House of Representatives on the Government’s Special Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Programme on Tuesday, January 21.

“Upon its completion, work will shift to Braeton Road and sections of the Hellshire main road dualisation project, which is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 fiscal year,” Holness said.

A few years ago, the Government introduced a comprehensive urban transportation initiative aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in urban centres by increasing road capacity and enhancing access.

Six key projects were identified for development, including Grange Lane, Braeton/Hellshire main road, East Kings House/Lady Musgrave Road, Arthur Wint Drive, the New Portmore access road from Mandela Highway, and the widening of the Sandy Gully Bridge.

Holness said the initiative is designed to improve urban infrastructure in Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine, benefiting approximately 1.2 million Jamaicans.

The programme also covers extensive upgrades to roads, drainage, water, sewerage systems, traffic management and safety measures, while also preparing for future broadband connectivity.

“All of these roads will have a component called streetscaping. When we build our new roads, we don’t take enough time to look at the soft infrastructure, putting in the trees to control the heat, putting in flowers for beautification, proper sidewalks along with access — just things that break the concrete and make the drive more appealing,” Holness said.

“For these roads, particularly the ones we are going to be doing in Kingston, East Kings House Road, Lady Musgrave Road [and] Arthur Wint Drive, I have insisted that there is significant streetscaping to the point where we have actually started to grow trees that are going to be planted there. We have acquired a machine that will be able to take up the trees whole and transplant them somewhere; [if] they can be brought back, then we will bring them back there,” he added.

For the Arthur Wint Drive dualisation project, this has been expanded to include the stretch from Arthur Wint Drive through Tom Redcam Drive to Camp Road, alongside the installation of sewerage systems and additional waterlines.

“This expansion will greatly benefit residents, businesses and developers in the area. The Arthur Wint Drive project is set to commence in the upcoming fiscal year, along with the remaining CAPEX projects, such as the Sandy Gully Bridge upgrades and the New Portmore Entrance development, both of which are currently undergoing investment appraisal,” Holness said.

Meanwhile, the prime minister acknowledged that the simultaneous commencement of several large-scale projects may raise concerns.

“However, I assure you and the people of Jamaica that every effort will be made to carry out these projects with minimal disruption to daily life. The Special CAPEX Programme is a testament to the Government of Jamaica’s commitment to modernising our infrastructure, fostering future development and enhancing the quality of life for all Jamaicans,” he stated.

Three of the six projects under CAPEX were specifically designated for Portmore, acknowledging its transition to a parish and the numerous development projects anticipated in the future.

— JIS