KINGSTON, Jamaica – An additional $100 million has been earmarked in the 2025/26 Estimates of Expenditure by the Government for construction work on the Troy Bridge at the border of Trelawny and Manchester.

The project, being implemented by the National Works Agency (NWA), commenced during fiscal year 2024/25.

Revised estimates for that period indicate that $101 million will be spent. A sum of $20 million was spent during the 2023/24 budget year for provisional work. This brings the total projected cost for the structure to $221 million.

The new bridge will replace the previous one, which collapsed in August 2021 during the passage of Tropical Storm Grace, cutting off communities in northwest Manchester from those in southern Trelawny.

The new two-lane triple cell reinforced concrete rigid frame bridge is expected to enhance connectivity, convenience and safety for the residents of Troy and its environs.

Last year, a footbridge was built to facilitate access for residents who use the route. It is anticipated that the main bridge will be completed by March 2026.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Works, Robert Morgan, indicated during a post-Cabinet press briefing in early February, that work on the structure was 45 per cent complete.

The anticipated targets for the upcoming financial year include continued construction of the bridge infrastructure and achieving 100 per cent completion.

– JIS