MANDEVILLE, Manchester — As some motorists eagerly await the opening of the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000, work is ongoing to put on the final touches while discussions are taking place about the toll rates.

Stephen Edwards, managing director at National Road Operating & Constructing Company (NROCC) — which is responsible for overseeing the design, construction and maintenance of Jamaica’s highways — said NROCC and TransJamaican Highway (TJH) are discussing the operations of the toll road.

“The project is on track to meet the August 31 milestone. The contractor is currently working on various aspects of the project to include but are not limited to: asphaltic paving, road markings, signage, cat eyes installations, and toll operating system. The details about the opening of the highway will be shared as soon as they are finalised,” he told the Jamaica Observer via e-mail.

“NROCC and TransJamaican Highway Limited are currently engaged in discussions. The details will be made public as soon as possible,” he added.

Edwards was responding to questions posed by the Observer regarding the progress of discussions for an agreement between NROCC and TJH for the operation of the new leg.

TJH is the company responsible for the development, operation and maintenance of Highway 2000 East-West, under a 35-year concession agreement granted by NROCC.

The May Pen to Williamsfield highway project — which will reduce travel time from Kingston to Mandeville and other points west — was originally scheduled for completion in October 2022. This was then changed to March 2023 before a timeline was given for January 2023.

The highway project includes the design and construction of approximately 23 kilometres of a four-lane, arterial divided highway on a new alignment, and the upgrading of approximately five kilometres of the existing Melrose Hill Bypass to a four-lane, arterial divided highway.

NROCC had outlined last year that it had set aside land to build eight additional stalls on the westbound side of the highway, for vendors.

Edwards said that aspect will be done in a separate phase of the project, and pointed to an underpass being constructed to allow pedestrian access to the yam park.

“The Annex Melrose Yam Park is planned as part of another phase of the project. In the interim the area will be prepared to facilitate parking so that westbound commuters can easily access the existing Melrose Yam Park via the pedestrian underpass. Eastbound patrons will be able to enter the Melrose Yam Park in the usual manner,” he said.

“The pedestrian underpass that is being constructed in the vicinity of Melrose Hill Yam Park will have lights installed,” he added.Edwards said the contractor of the project, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), is responsible for any damage caused by the construction of the highway.

“The contractor conducted pre-blast surveys before any blasting was done. The contractor also conducted post-blast surveys, which are compared to the pre-blast surveys to determine if structures in the vicinity of the works were affected. The vast majority of the post-blast surveys have already been completed. The contractor has a responsibility to remedy defects caused by the work. The process is ongoing and residents are constantly kept informed,” he said.