Morgan gives SPARK update
Minister says work on 126 roads should be under way by March
WORK on 126 roads across the island’s 63 constituencies should be well under way by March under the Government’s ambitious, $45-billion, road and infrastructure development project.
Robert Morgan, the minister with responsibility for works, shared the information in a statement to Parliament on Tuesday.
Some 660 roads across the island are scheduled to be rehabilitated under the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) Programme, which is set to run for two years.
On Tuesday, Morgan told the House that the Government is spending just under $2 billion to undertake work on 42 roads in 21 constituencies, under phase one of SPARK.
He said eight parishes will be covered under work order #1.
“I am pleased to report that China Harbour Engineering Company [CHEC] [the selected contractor] has received the project scope and has commenced preliminary site visits. Work is scheduled to begin this week and will be rolled out to cover 21 constituencies, which will each have two roads addressed,” Morgan said.
“The total investment in work order #1 is approximately $1.911 billion, and CHEC is actively assessing additional roads to commence work in the coming weeks,” Morgan added.
He said SPARK will follow a structured, phased approach to ensure efficient execution and transparency.
Work order #2 will cover 42 additional roads across 21 constituencies, with commencement expected by late February, while work order #3 will cover another 42 roads across 21 constituencies and is scheduled to begin in March.
“These projects will transform 126 critical roadways across Jamaica, improving connectivity, easing congestion, and strengthening community resilience,” said Morgan.
He said that as part of the Government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation will oversee project timelines, contractor performance, and quality standards.
“Additionally, we encourage Members of Parliament and local stakeholders to remain engaged in the monitoring process, ensuring that all communities benefit fully from this national initiative,” he said.
Describing SPARK as “the next chapter of Jamaica’s development”, Morgan said “we are not just fixing roads, we are building pathways to opportunity”.
“This initiative is an investment in the future of our citizens and a demonstration of the Government’s unwavering commitment to national development,” he said.
