COMPLETED
| KINGSTON, July 7 (JIS): |
| In
an update on the Northern Coastal Highway Improvement Programme, Minister
of State in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Dr. Fenton Ferguson
has informed that Segment One, the approximately 71-kilometre stretch
between Negril and Montego Bay, was now complete. He was making his contribution to the 2004/05 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House yesterday (July 6). The only complaint at this time, Dr. Ferguson said, was the approaches to the bridges, which had started to settle. However, he explained, the bridge would be replaced under the R.A. Murray Bridge programme. The designs have been completed, the bridge parts have been imported and the contract is to be tendered shortly. Minister Ferguson further informed that land acquisition had been advanced for Segment Two, which comprises the 97 kilometre stretch from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios. Utility relocation is now at 90 per cent. He said the work had been re-scoped to create the Falmouth, Duncans, Coopers Pen and Rio Bueno bypasses. “This has reduced the land acquisition costs and traffic congestion in the resort areas, as well as avoiding costly rock excavation while reducing travel time between destinations,” he stated. Road safety had also been enhanced, Dr. Ferguson said as the reservation had been expanded to facilitate future lane expansion and the shoulders were being paved to reduce maintenance costs and enhance the safety of pedestrians and non- motorized equipment operators. Underpasses are being constructed at selected locations along with a major interchange at Wakefield main road in Trelawny, to facilitate safe and easy entrance and exit to and from the highway. The underpasses will allow golf carts, pedestrians and small trucks to move safely from the adjoining properties. Dr. Ferguson said the full construction costs of several of these facilities were being borne by owners of properties where applicable. Approximately 50 kilometres of National Water Commission pipeline is being relocated to ensure that future repairs, extension or excavation, do not affect the roadway. The Minister said an initial audit of the costs for utility relocation indicated that there was likely to be a reduction of the cost, which could result in savings on the project. Speaking on the completion schedule, Dr. Ferguson said due in small measure to adverse weather conditions, and largely to tardiness in the relocation of the utilities, the completion schedule had to be revised from the original 30-month contract duration ending June 2004, to June 2005 and that an even further extension to complete the works might be required. The estimated cost of the project now stands at US$128.9 million. Under Segment three, the approximately 120-kilometre stretch of roadway from Ocho Rios in St. Ann to Fair Prospect in Portland, involves reconstruction and rehabilitation where necessary. “We seek to preserve the integrity of the pristine beauty of the area,” Minister Ferguson said. The project is being jointly funded by the European Union and the Government of Jamaica (GOJ). The EU had given strict guidelines for the grant funds, Dr. Ferguson pointed out, adding that these included clear and unrestricted access to the contractor, the acquisition of all necessary lands, resettlement of persons affected by the project and the relocation of the utilities prior to January 1, 2004. As at March 2004, 99 per cent of the land has been acquired, 96 per cent of the utilities have been relocated, 96 per cent of the resettlement of affected persons has been completed, and nine community meetings were held and the necessary environmental permit granted by the National Environment and Planning Agency, paving the way for the project to begin. The tender is to be launched in August this year, the contracts are to be signed in May 2005, works are to commence in October 2005 and the contract duration is 35 months. |
