The Government of Jamaica has made the decision to procure additional technology tools during the new financial year to enhance traffic management and control.

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Everald Warmington made the disclosure on March 1 during the sitting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives, which is reviewing the 2023/24 Estimates of Expenditure.

He noted that additional resources have been allocated under the traffic management and control head of the budget.

“It is the intention of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation to, among other things, procure additional cameras, signal controllers, and enable cloud service technology to ensure greater reliability and sustainability. We also intend to upgrade systems at some intersections in St Andrew,” he said.

He informed that the ministry, through the National Works Agency (NWA), will be focused on making the roads safer in terms of markings, signage, and raised pavements.

The Traffic Management and Control Programme allows for the planning, design and development of an adequate, safe, and efficient road network and transportation system across the island.

Meanwhile, Warmington said infrastructure works will continue through the Maintenance of Secondary Road Programme.

“The slight increase that we have received will be used to continue improvements started in several sections of the island. Required works have to be phased in due to the inadequate funding,” he pointed out.

“Road training, gully cleaning and disaster mitigation are also critical to each member of this House and we will continue [those works]. It is the ministry’s intention to undertake regular… flooding mitigation this year as was done before,” Warmington added.

The Standing Finance Committee completed its two-day sitting on Thursday, March 2. The House debate begins next week.