KINGSTON, Jamaica — The main road component of the Government’s SPARK programme is set to get underway in western Jamaica, specifically St James this month, with the Montego Bay to Great River corridor (Reading section) being the first to see work.

The focus will then shift to Howard Cooke Boulevard and Alice Eldemire Drive.

Minister with responsibility for Works, Robert Morgan, gave the update on the SPARK at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House. He said Hanover will also see significant work under the main roads component of the $45 billion programme.

“We’ve received a lot of complaints from tourism interests in Hanover, so we’re also going to be starting in October Great River to Sandy Bay,” Morgan said. He noted that Hanover was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the SPARK main road programme, as, Great River to Sandy Bay aside, the parish will also see work on the Sandy Bay to Lucea and Lucea to Green Island roads.

“This will alleviate some of the challenges that tourism interests have been having,” Morgan said.

The works minister told the briefing that the Government has earmarked $25 billion to rehabilitate 37 priority roads under the main roads component of the programme.

“We have announced 37 main roads or sections of main roads across 10 to 11 parishes. So between now and November, we’re going to be starting eight of the main roads, and between January and March, 11; April to May, 18; for a total of 37,” Morgan shared.

Work is also slated to commence on Molynes Road (Half-Way Tree to Washington Boulevard) in St Andrew in Hanover in October. Additionally, road sections proposed for commencement in November 2026 include Seaward Drive to Olympic Way in St Andrew; Port Henderson Road (Bayside to Naggo Head) in St Catherine; and May Pen to Sour Sop Turn in Clarendon.

“Next year, in January, we’re going to be doing Cooperage to Gordon Town to Mavis Bank, St Andrew; Gregory Park Main Road (Dyke Road to Grange Lane), St Catherine; Lucea to Green Island, Hanover; and Troy to Warsop, Trelawny,” Morgan said.

In February 2027, work is proposed to commence on Red Hills Road (Perkins Boulevard to Swain Spring Road) in St Andrew; Claremont to Golden Grove in St Ann; Salt Pond Road (Braeton Road to Phoenix Park) and Hill Run Road (from the toll road to the industrial area) in St Catherine; and Green Island to the Hanover parish border.

In March 2027, work is proposed to start on the Stony Hill to Golden Spring corridor in St Andrew and the Islington to Port Maria corridor in St Mary.

“In April, we’re going to start Oxford Road, St Andrew; Spanish Town bypass (Twickenham Park to Brunswick), St Catherine; Falmouth to Wakefield, Trelawny; Brown’s Town to Stewart Town; Priory to Bamboo in St Ann; and Chovey to Claremont and Gayle to Guys Hill in St Mary,” Morgan announced.

For May 2027, proposed starts in St Catherine include the Linstead Bypass (Bog Walk to Vanity Fair); Williamsfield to Glengoffe; St John’s Road to Kitson Town (Green Acres to Jackson Road), and Old Harbour to Freetown.

In Clarendon, the proposed road projects are Freetown to Four Paths to Whitney Turn; Spaulding to Cave Valley; and Chapelton to Pennants.

Additionally, proposed starts in May 2027 include the parish border to Negril corridor in Westmoreland, and the Royal Flat to Caledonia Road, Green Vale to Spur Tree, and Cain Shop to Highgate Hall corridors in Manchester.