Over River Bridge set to reopen before new school year
INGSTON, Jamaica — The National Works Agency (NWA) is fast-tracking plans to have the Over River Bridge in St James reopened to the public before the start of the new school year.
The Over River Bridge, a Compact Bailey Bridge, was washed away during Hurricane Melissa, cutting off the Over River community from neighbouring areas, including Hurlock and Sign.
The Sign roadway is a popular route used by residents to access Montego Bay’s city centre. Since the bridge was damaged, residents have had to rely on alternative routes, resulting in longer travel times and increased transportation costs.
READ: Help flows for Over River bridge
Community Relations Officer at the NWA’s Western Region, Janel Ricketts, in a statement on Wednesday, said repair work on the bridge began in February 2026 but was delayed due to logistical challenges.
Despite the setbacks, Ricketts said construction has progressed significantly, with the contractor on track to complete the project by September 2026.
She explained that the bridge has since been relaunched after being removed from the river. Steel components have been repaired, and the structure strengthened to support continued use.
The next phase of work will focus on constructing the bridge’s abutment walls and ramps, the NWA said.
Residents are being reminded not to attempt to cross the unfinished bridge while rehabilitation work continues.
