PORTLAND, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness broke ground for the Port Antonio Bypass Project on Thursday, hailing it as a landmark investment that will unlock Portland’s economic potential and transform the eastern parish into a modern hub of opportunity and growth.

Speaking at the official groundbreaking ceremony, Holness declared, “Today marks the breaking of barriers that have long held back the full economic potential of this beautiful parish and its people… It’s the dawning of a new era of mobility, opportunity and resilience for Portland.”

The 18-kilometre bypass, which will be executed in two phases, aims to divert traffic away from Port Antonio’s vulnerable and congested coastal corridor. The first phase, now underway, spans from Norwich to Turtle Crawl Harbour and will include a seven-kilometre four-lane roadway, new bridges, upgraded drainage systems, and designated bus shelters.

“This bypass is a strategic initiative with national importance,” the prime minister said, noting that the project will reduce travel times, cut transport costs and stimulate development inland.

“We are literally and figuratively placing Portland on the map of 21st-century development,” he added.

The Government has committed US$81 million to construction and J$521 million for land acquisition, covering over 200 parcels in Phase 1. The National Land Agency has already started acquisitions, and Holness promised fair and respectful treatment of affected property owners under the Land Acquisition Act.

The project will be carried out by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), under the supervision of the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

As part of its design, the bypass will be a climate-resilient corridor, built inland and elevated to avoid storm surges and coastal erosion.

The prime minister also said the project would open up new economic zones for farmers, craft vendors, tour operators, and small businesses, bridging the gap between coast and countryside.

In addition to the bypass, Holness unveiled plans for a comprehensive redevelopment of Port Antonio, which he envisions as the “St Barts of the Northern Caribbean”. Through a master plan developed by world-renowned Jamaican architect Gordon Gill, the Government intends to position the town as a high-value, low-density tourism destination.

Key components of the plan include a cruise ship terminal on East Harbour; high-end hotels and villas on Folly Lands; a revamped Musgrave Market and pedestrian promenade; a multi-purpose sports and entertainment amphitheatre; a redeveloped Port Antonio Marina for luxury yachts; a new public waterfront park, modelled after Harmony Beach in Montego Bay; the Boundbrook Urban Centre, a 148,000 square feet Government and commercial complex expected to create 3,000 jobs; and the preservation of Navy Island as an eco-tourism reserve.

“Imagine a Port Antonio that is welcoming boutique ships without traffic congestion… where eco-lodges, meaning community tourism and adventure tourism flourish alongside local farming and craft,” Holness said.

The prime minister reiterated that the bypass fits into the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP), the largest infrastructure initiative in Jamaica’s history, spanning from Harbour View in Kingston through St Thomas and now into Portland.

He said the Government’s approach to infrastructure is fiscally disciplined and data-driven, contrasting it with past ad hoc projects that were underfunded and politically motivated.

“Good roads and proper water supply don’t fall from the sky. You need good Government running a good economy to be able to deliver these benefits,” Holness said.

The prime minister vowed strict oversight of the project to avoid delays, cost overruns or poor workmanship. He also promised timely compensation and clear communication throughout the construction period.