MONTEGO BAY, St James — The St James Municipal Corporation has pushed back a planned pothole patching project, citing a shortage of asphalt at the plant it uses. The work was supposed to start in August, but according to mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon it has been a challenge getting asphalt for the past two weeks.

“Asphalt short so the project is delayed but will roll out as soon as it’s available. We expect that by the weekend the asphalt will be available,” he told the Jamaica Observer Tuesday.

The goal behind the Programme of Transformation: Holistic Overhaul for Local Efficiency (POTHOLE) is a pothole-free town centre.

“Our focus on the city core is deliberate. These roads are the arteries of commerce, mobility, and civic life,” Vernon explained.

“Well-maintained thoroughfares enhance safety, reduce travel disruptions, and reinforce Montego Bay’s growth trajectory,” he added.

The programme falls under MoBay STEP-Up. STEP is an acronym for striving towards environmental protection. The goal is for the local authority to enforce existing legislation that can address some of the issues that negatively impact residents’ quality of life.

VERNON… we expect that by the weekend the asphalt will be available.

“The programme strengthens our existing patch operations and includes upgrades to road furniture such as signs, sidewalks, and gratings,” the mayor said of STEP-Up.

“By embedding POTHOLE into the corporation’s maintenance framework, we ensure repairs are systematic, continuous, and responsive to the needs of residents and businesses,” he added.

He said the corporation will be fully responsible for the programme, it’s funding and implementation.

“There is no price tag; it will come from our maintenance fund. It’s not a one-off project,” he explained.

That should be good news for the parish police who have repeatedly said pothole-riddled roads contribute to traffic jams.

“Improved roadways support local economic development and advance our vision of a modern city,” Vernon told the Observer.

While the focus is on the town centre, he said work will also extend to other areas of the municipality. Among the areas that will benefit once the project rolls out is a vital route being used as an alternate since the massive breakaway at Spring Mount in St James.

“We will also be attending to the Hampton Road that currently serves as the main access to rural St James since hurricane Melissa,” Vernon said.

“Hampton is a special case due to the hurricane,” he added.

The Hampton route has become a critical point of connection between south and north St James but sections including the treacherous Charlie Mount, which has deep drops in some spots, are in a deplorable condition.

“It will be in the first group of roads to be done,” Vernon said of the Hampton route.