Gov't announces phase two of GO Road Rehab Programme

 

The government has announced the second phase of the GO Road Rehab Programme in response to concerns raised by commuters and the motoring public about the condition of several major roads. 

 

Minister with responsibility for Works, Robert Morgan, says based on technical assessments by the National Works Agency, priority will be given to roads with high traffic volumes, significant surface deterioration and strategic importance to communities and the economy. 

 

He says the $1.4 billion initiative forms part of the government's wider road improvement strategy, balancing urgent interventions with longer term rehabilitation under initiatives such as SPARK and the Accelerated Bridge Programme. 

 

"We have heard the call from the public. We understand the frustration of road users and we accept that many Jamaicans are facing difficult daily commutes because of the condition of some of our roads. This second phase of the GO Road Rehab is intended to move quickly on priority thoroughfares and deliver practical improvements where they are urgently needed. Many of our roads were already vulnerable and Hurricane Melissa further exposed those weaknesses," he admitted. "We have also had above-average rainfall across much of the island over the last six months. That is why the government has had to combine emergency rehabilitation, targeted road surfacing, drainage intervention and large-scale road works."

 

Mr. Morgan said works under phase two will include targeted patching, resurfacing, drainage related interventions where necessary, and other road improvement activities.