TRELAWNY, Jamaica – Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Everald Warmington, has broken ground on a $200 million road project that extends from Wakefield to Deeside in Trelawny.

Minister Warmington, who has portfolio responsibility for Works, expressed his satisfaction that the first phase of the project is taking place just a year after he initially announced plans for the road project.

In a release on Thursday, the Minister said “I was here one year ago to announce the project, that we were going to do it, and I am here one year after to break ground for the project and will be back in a few months to cut the ribbon.”

“I am indeed happy to be here in support of the member of parliament to break ground for the project named Falmouth to Springvale. The entire project itself was priced at a little over $800 million, so it will be done in phases. The first phase is from Wakefield to Deeside, where we allocated $200 million for that section,” he continued.

The project’s corridor links communities such as Martha Brae, Granville, Hammersmith, Bounty Hall, Tilston, Peru, Green Park, Friendship, Wakefield, Deeside, Dromilly, and Bunkers Hill. It is also linked to the main town of Falmouth, the Maroon Town in St James and St Elizabeth.

Member of Parliament for Trelawny North, Tova Hamilton, Councillor for the Wakefield Division, Jonathan Bartley; the National Works Agency Western Regional Manager, Robert Francis, and contractor for BF Pavement & Consultant, Donovan Bryan were all in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Warmington said Hamilton was instrumental in the commencement of the project through her representation.

“We can see that the member of parliament, through her forcefulness and dedication to the constituency, has made the necessary representation and through that, we have been able to address quite a number of roads in her constituency.”

The Minister went on to note that the project comes at an opportune time as the condition of the roads had significantly deteriorated, which gave rise to the need for rehabilitation works along the corridor.

He added that the alternate route, which is Martha Brae through Peru, Bunkers Hill, Dromilly to Deeside, was not considered to be a viable option as the condition of the different corridors significantly increased commute time.

The scope of works includes de-bushing and trimming of banks, earthworks, cleaning of drains, earth drains, outlets, and culverts, construction of catch basins, concrete U & V drains, pavement works, and ancillary roadworks.

It is expected that phase two, which extends from Martha Brae to Bounty Hall, will begin early in the next financial year with another $200 million projected cost.