Dear Editor,

Keeping Jamaica’s roads in good condition requires proper planning, good engineering, and a practical approach to maintenance. While large road projects and major repairs are often best carried out by private contractors, there may be benefits in bringing back a greater role for the force account method, especially for routine pothole repairs and small maintenance activities in busy urban areas.

Force account means that a road agency uses its own workers, equipment, and materials to carry out certain types of work instead of hiring an outside contractor. For many years, this approach was used to repair potholes, fix small road defects, and respond quickly when problems appeared.

Having dedicated road maintenance crews allowed agencies to address problems early before they became larger and more expensive repairs. A small pothole, for example, can quickly become a major pavement failure if water enters the road structure and weakens the underlying layers.

Routine patching is different from major road construction. It often requires quick action to protect motorists, improve road safety, and prevent further damage. When trained maintenance crews are available, repairs can be completed faster because the agency does not have to wait for a contractor to be mobilised.

This does not mean that force account should replace contractors. Contractors will continue to play an important role in major rehabilitation projects, road upgrades, and planned maintenance activities. However, road agencies could consider using a balanced approach where their own maintenance teams handle urgent repairs, pothole patching, and small jobs that require a quick response.

Before making any changes, road agencies should carefully compare the costs, quality of work, productivity, equipment needs, and long-term benefits of each approach. The goal should not be to choose one method over another, but to use the method that provides the best results for each type of work.

As Jamaica continues to improve its road network, maintenance strategies should be reviewed regularly. A combination of contracted services and well-managed force account operations may provide the flexibility needed to respond quickly to road problems and keep roads safer throughout the year.

Good road management is not about choosing one approach and ignoring another. It is about using the right method for the right job at the right time to provide the best value to the public.

Force account should, therefore, be considered as one useful option within a wider road maintenance strategy, helping road agencies respond faster, manage resources effectively, and protect the condition of Jamaica’s road network.

Denton Moore

dentonmoore2002@yahoo.com