CLARENDON, Jamaica – It will take $1.2 billion to replace the problem-plagued Alley Bridge in south Clarendon over the long term, says the Minister with responsibility for Works, Robert Morgan.

The important artery, which connects communities in south west Clarendon and beyond, was severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.

Its location in a low-lying flood plain makes it impassable whenever there is heavy rain and the approach to the bridge is now in need of urgent repair.

Morgan, who disclosed the figure to replace the structure, was responding to questions from Member of Parliament for Clarendon South Western, Lothan Cousins, during Thursday’s sitting of the Parliament’s Standing Finance Committee examining the 2025/26 Estimates of Expenditure.

Cousins questioned whether there was a provision in this budget cycle to effect repairs to the approach to the bridge, which poses a risk to motorists and pedestrians.

Morgan said he became aware of the problems with the Alley Bridge in mid-2024 and explained that “It is not a simple process [to effect the repairs] because the bridge is in a very peculiar low-lying area”.

He shared that the National Works Agency has been asked to undertake an assessment of what the cost of the bridge would be.

In the meantime, the minister said short-term remedial work on the entrance to the bridge has been estimated at $45 million and will be undertaken within the next six months.