MONTEGO BAY, St James — Under the Government’s plan to replace more than 50 bridges in Jamaica, St James is expected to get 10.

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic, Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for works, Robert Morgan made the disclosure as he addressed Recover and Rebuild Jamaica Expo 2026 on Saturday at the ⁠Montego Bay Convention Centre, here.

“In St James we’re building 10 bridges, and this has to be done in the next two years — John’s Hall Bridge, Potosi Bridge, Black Shop Bridge, Crooked Spring Bridge, Sunderland Bridge, Latium Bridge, Ducketts Bridge, Retrieve Bridge, Seven Rivers — and that’s just in St James,” he said

The Accelerated Bridge Programme is a US$100-million infrastructure project to replace or build 55 climate-resilient bridges across Jamaica.

At least 21 of those bridges will be in western parishes when the project is completed.

“In Hanover we’re going to be doing the Riley Bridge, Guinea Corn, Askinesh, Woodside, [and] Network [bridges]; and in Westmoreland we have First Bridge, Jackass Bridge, Quashie Bridge; [while in] St Elizabeth we have Windsor, YS, John’s River…Black River Bridge, and Pedro Bridge,” Morgan said.

According to the minister, the Accelerated Bridge Programme is one the people of St James and western Jamaica, generally, should be happy about.

He explained that the bridges are going to be built in the United Kingdom but local companies will have a role to play in their installation, given that the companies are going to build the base for the bridges.

During his address he also sought to defend the Government’s record of investing in Jamaican contractors and suppliers, arguing that its infrastructure programme is deliberately designed to build the capacity of local firms while leveraging international expertise for major projects.

Morgan said approximately US$1.19 billion has been spent on road infrastructure through the National Works Agency (NWA) and National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited over the past 15 years, and of that amount, $660 billion has been spent with local companies, which is about 56 per cent.

He highlighted the $45-billion SPARK programme, which includes investments in main roads, community roads and water infrastructure.

“While the main contractor is China Harbour [Engineering Company], over 26 local contractors and suppliers are part of the SPARK programme. This is a deliberate government policy,” he insisted.

He also added that local suppliers are also benefiting from the project through the provision of materials and equipment.

In the meantime, Morgan highlighted the Government’s Special Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Programme, valued at approximately $10 billion, under which major road works are planned across the Corporate Area.

Projects include a new entrance to Portmore in St Catherine, as well as works on Arthur Wint Drive, Tom Redcam Avenue, South Camp Road, East Kings House Road, and along the Hellshire Main Road.

“Every single CAPEX contractor is a local company,” he declared.

During his time at the expo the works minister also participated in the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon to open the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry-organised two-day event, designed as a national recovery marketplace bringing together rebuilding products, services, professionals, government agencies, and financing options in response to Hurricane Melissa.