MONTEGO BAY, St James — The St James Municipal Corporation wants answers from Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) as grumbles persist about the state of the Montpelier road where JSIF has funded pipe-laying work being done by the National Water Commission.

For months, commuters have had to contend with poor road conditions as work continues. It is part of a wider effort to improve the water supply to several communities under the Government’s Integrated Community Development Project which is valued at more than $500 million.

However, despite the good intentions, the work has resulted in increased traffic congestion and delays.

“I believe JSIF should be written to by the municipal corporation to give us a full update on the Montpelier road,” Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon recommended to the monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation last Thursday.

“We have been very patient, we have heard many stories, we’ve heard from the National Works Agency (NWA) that does not have primary responsibility for the project that is being undertaken but it provides oversight,” he continued.

He said informal discussions with the two primary agencies involved in the work had provided some insight.

“We have heard from JSIF, albeit informally, about the sponsorship of that project. We’ve heard from the NWC, informally again, about pressure testing where the lines are concerned. Apparently the pressure testing and the road rehabilitation work do not align how they ought to and as a result we had several delays on that project,” the mayor noted.

He explained NWC’s stated approach to the project.

“The logic argument is that if we repair the roadway and pressure testing is done and the lines don’t hold up, then the road will be damaged again. So we have to do the pressure testing first and once we are comfortable, this is NWC, then we could give the green light for the road rehabilitation to continue,” Vernon explained.

He pointed to the need to keep road users informed.

“We have to ensure that we communicate properly where these projects are concerned else we face demonstrations and disruptions in civic order,” the mayor warned.

“It is very important that the municipal corporation is properly updated on the project via JSIF as we have a responsibility to keep the citizenry informed and provided with factual information,” he insisted.

Three weeks ago public passenger operators who ply that route withdrew their service due to the state of the road.

They complained that since work started, the road, which was already in need of repair, has been made worse becoming a major headache for motorists who are stuck in traffic. In response JSIF called for patience.

During last week’s council meeting, head of the St James Police Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels added his voice to the call for motorists to be patient. He also urged them to play their part in minimising congestion.

“In the Montpelier area with the roadwork being done, we understand the infrastructure development that is taking place and so we are asking that residents be a bit lenient, having understanding in terms of the movement. Because we can’t police officers every step of the way but we are urging that motorists use the roads wisely and just exercise a little discipline and it will go faster,” he appealed.

“When you have, especially, taxi operators who are doubling up and tripling up, it causes a backlog and then the issue will not be the road but then will be the driver behaviour that we are seeing,” the senior cop added.

He, however, indicated that they will do their part to address the challenges.

“As best as possible, we have our patrols monitoring but they won’t be along the entire stretch because we have limited amount of resources,” Samuels said.