KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government has allocated $100 million under the GO Road Rehabilitation Programme for works on critical sections of the roadway linking Anchovy in St James to Shettlewood in Hanover, with special focus on the Mount Carey to Montpelier corridor.

The investment is aimed at improving road safety, strengthening connectivity and supporting economic activity across western Jamaica.

The Mount Carey–Montpelier section has been prioritised as part of the Government’s efforts to improve key transport links in the region.

In a release on Wednesday, the agency shared that the rehabilitation forms part of a wider programme of works planned for the last quarter of 2024, as the Government moved to expand targeted road rehabilitation across the island.

Works will address areas most affected by deterioration, including potholes, edge breaks and sections compromised by surface failure, and are expected to restore safer and smoother driving conditions for residents, motorists, public passenger operators and business operators.

Minister with responsibility for Works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development (MEGID), Robert Nesta Morgan, said the Government has taken note that the road through Montpelier is currently subject to pipe-laying works under the Shettlewood to Anchovy Pipeline Project being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

Rehabilitation works are expected to begin in the third week of January, immediately after JSIF completes pipe-laying activities in the area. To ensure value for money and avoid rework, the National Works Agency (NWA) and JSIF will coordinate their schedules.

Sections of the corridor compromised by pipe-laying and related excavation works are to be rehabilitated to ensure road restoration is completed to the required standard.

Morgan said the investment reflects the Government’s commitment to delivering practical improvements through coordinated and targeted rehabilitation.

“This is an important investment in western Jamaica. The corridor is a key link for residents, transport operators, farmers, and businesses operators travelling between Savanna- la-Mar, Westmoreland and Montego Bay, St James. We planned this work from last year, and we are now delivering it under the GO Road Rehabilitation Programme, while ensuring coordination in Montpelier so any areas affected by pipeline works are properly restored,” he said.

The minister added that the now $1.7 billion GO Road Rehabilitation Programme, which began in December with works in sections of Kingston and St Andrew, is being rolled out islandwide, targeting roads and corridors requiring urgent improvement.