NWA responds to criticism following flooding of Marcus Garvey Drive, damage to Hagley Park Road

 

The National Works Agency (NWA) has responded to the criticism that followed the flooding of Marcus Garvey Drive in the vicinity of Tinson Pen.

 

Several videos emerged on the weekend of motorists who were stationary at the location, because of the high volume of water and the length of time it took to subside.

 

E.G. Hunter, CEO of the NWA, blames an inadequate drainage system as the cause, and outlined the plan to deal with the situation.

 

"So the existing drainage system in that area is unable to handle the runoff that gets there but it was always the plan that we would construct expanded drains in that area. The preliminary figures we're getting from the engineers doing the design is pointing us in the direction of about J$1 billion to install," he revealed Monday at a press briefing at Jamaica House.  

 

He said the drain to be constructed will have a capacity similar to the Sandy Gully, but until it is built, intermittent flooding will continue in that area. 

 

 

 

Mr. Hunter also responded to the criticism about the reported damage to Hagley Park Road, which was recently rehabilitated.

 

He explained that the issue arose because there is an existing drain which needs to be connected into the new drains that have been laid.  

 

"That area has been an area under construction. It was never completed. And the reinstatement that you see there was a temporary reinstatement to allow the contractor to go back there subsequently and complete those works. That area and only that area was impacted by the rains," he said.