Dear Editor,

Roads are part of everyday life in Jamaica. We use them to get to work, school, hospitals, markets, and businesses. When roads are in good condition, everyone benefits. When they deteriorate, the effects are felt by motorists, passengers, businesses, and communities.

Jamaica is making significant investments in its road network. It is, therefore, reasonable to consider how the country can obtain the longest possible service life from these investments. One area that deserves continued attention is road maintenance.

Road maintenance is not simply about filling potholes. It includes cleaning drains, repairing cracks, controlling vegetation, maintaining road shoulders, addressing drainage problems, and regularly checking roads for early signs of deterioration.

A basic principle of good maintenance is to address small problems before they become major ones. For example, a small crack may not appear serious, but water can enter through it and gradually weaken the road. Similarly, a blocked drain may seem like a minor problem until heavy rainfall causes water to remain on the roadway or flow across it. Timely intervention can sometimes prevent much more costly repairs later.

This raises a reasonable question: Should Jamaica’s road maintenance strategy continue to be reviewed and improved as conditions, technology, and available resources change?

There is no single maintenance approach that will work for every road. Roads have different traffic levels, drainage conditions, soil characteristics, and levels of deterioration. With limited resources, it is important to determine which roads require immediate attention and which can be managed through routine maintenance.

Good information can support these decisions. Regular inspections can identify roads that are beginning to deteriorate and allow maintenance teams to plan their work before problems become more serious. A systematic approach can also help decision-makers determine where limited maintenance resources are likely to have the greatest benefit.

Another approach worth considering is performance-based maintenance. Under this type of arrangement, a contractor may be responsible for maintaining a road to an agreed standard for a specified period. Depending on the contract, the work could include pothole repairs, drain cleaning, vegetation control, road-sign maintenance, and other routine activities.

Jamaica has had experience with forms of this approach. Reviewing that experience could help identify what worked well, what challenges were encountered and where improvements might be possible.

Drainage deserves particular attention. Jamaica’s heavy rainfall can contribute to flooding, landslides, and road deterioration. Keeping drains, culverts, and other drainage structures clear and functional should, therefore, remain an important part of any road maintenance programme.

Maintenance should also continue after a road has been newly constructed or rehabilitated. A newly paved road represents a significant public investment. Regular inspections and timely maintenance can help protect that investment and extend the road’s useful life.

For the public, the issue is straightforward. People want roads that are safe, usable, and reasonably well maintained. They also want public funds to be used responsibly and effectively.

This does not mean that every pothole can be repaired immediately or every road can receive the same level of attention. Financial constraints, weather conditions, traffic demands, and technical requirements will always influence maintenance decisions. What matters is having a clear system for identifying needs, setting priorities, and carrying out appropriate maintenance at the right time.

Jamaica’s road maintenance strategy should, therefore, be viewed as something that can be continuously reviewed and improved. Lessons from Jamaica’s own experience, together with relevant experience from other countries, can help inform future decisions.

Building a road is only one part of the investment. Protecting and maintaining it afterwards is essential to ensuring the public receives the full benefit of the money spent.

The ultimate goal is simple: safer roads, functioning drainage, timely repairs, and better returns from Jamaica’s investment in its road network.

Denton Moore

dentonmoore2002@yahoo.com