NWA working to clear landslides in St. Mary, Portland, St. Ann

By Clinton McGregor    

 

The National Works Agency says its crews have been dispatched to St. Mary, Portland and St. Ann to clear major landslides and roadblocks caused by heavy showers on the northeastern end of the island.

 

The crews are still working to clear sections of the Junction main road which is partially blocked due to landslides and fallen rocks.

 

Single lane access has been restored to a section of the roadway after a team from the NWA managed to clear some of the debris from the landslides on Wednesday.

 

NWA Communication Manager Stephen Shaw told Radio Jamaica News on Thursday afternoon that the crew has been experiencing challenges in clearing the roadway.

 

He said sections of the Junction main road are badly damaged. 

 

"The two massive landslides that we had overnight, we were able to push through and regain access through there. The landslide that occurred at Mason Yard, though, that area will continue to be in single lane because some damage was done to the road, which there was a previous damage there and...the landslide, that has made the situation worse. And so that will continue to be single lane access until we are in a position to have a structure built in this space to have the environment recreated to what it was," he said. 

 

Mr. Shaw added that the NWA is working to clear landslides in other sections of St. Mary, St. Ann and Portland.

 

He said multiple landslides are impacting Long Road in St. Mary, between St. Fort George and Camberwell. The road has been reduced to a single lane. 

 

"On Portland, the Craig Mill Road, that one is now impassable, it's a ford that's there. It has been washed out a couple times this week. We had reinstated it to facilitate access to the persons who live in this space, but it has once again been washed out. The road from White River to Newstead Bridge over there in St. Ann, that road has been rendered impassable. A massive tree has fallen across the road. We have mobilised heavy equipment to get that particular situation treated with and we hope to have it addressed before the evening is out," he noted.