KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government of Jamaica has announced the second phase of the GO Road Rehab Programme, a $1.4 billion road rehabilitation initiative targeting key main roads across the island.

In a release, the ministry shared that the programme will focus on heavily trafficked corridors that are critical to public transportation, commerce, emergency access, tourism, and the daily movement of Jamaicans. It forms part of the Government’s wider road improvement strategy, balancing urgent interventions with longer-term rehabilitation under initiatives such as SPARK and the Accelerated Bridge Programme.

Minister with responsibility for Works, Robert Nesta Morgan, said the second phase of GO Road Rehab is a direct response to the concerns raised by motorists, commuters, transport operators, businesses, and communities about the condition of several major roadways.

“We have heard the call from the public. We understand the frustration of road users, and we accept that many Jamaicans are facing difficult daily commutes because of the condition of some of our main roads. This second phase of GO Road Rehab is intended to move quickly on priority thoroughfares and deliver practical improvements where they are urgently needed,” Morgan said.

The minister noted that Jamaica’s road network has come under significant pressure from prolonged and intense rainfall, as well as the lingering effects of Hurricane Melissa. While emergency response and rehabilitation works have been ongoing, several corridors continue to show deterioration due to saturated road bases, damaged drainage systems, failed pavement sections, and the general stress placed on infrastructure by severe weather events.

“Many of our roads were already vulnerable, and Hurricane Melissa further exposed those weaknesses. We have also had above-average rainfall across much of the island over the last six months. That is why the Government has had to combine emergency rehabilitation, targeted resurfacing, drainage interventions, and larger-scale road works,” the minister added.

Works under Phase Two will include targeted patching, resurfacing, drainage-related interventions where necessary, and other road improvement activities based on technical assessments by the National Works Agency. Priority will be given to roads with high traffic volumes, significant surface deterioration, and strategic importance to communities and the economy.

The National Works Agency will lead implementation of the second phase and provide updates as works are scheduled and executed.