Road repair bill from Hurricane Beryl at more than $10 billion

   

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has disclosed that the road network has been severely damaged by Hurricane Beryl and will cost the government billions of dollars to repair.

 

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Holness confirmed that the country's road infrastructure, agriculture sector and other critical areas such as utilities were badly affected by the hurricane.

 

"In terms of infrastructure, our roads, bridges and essential public facilities have sustained severe damage. The country's road network has been significantly affected. The NWA's preliminary assessment to our main road network totals J$10.25 billion. 

 

"There are approximately 25,000 kilometres of roads that connect the country, 5,000 kilometres are main roads, while the remaining 20,000 kilometres are perochial roads. While the data and information are still being collected in the field, the preliminary assessment is at over 500 parochial roads have been affected in various degrees. So, Madam Speaker, in terms of the level of repair that will be needed and the cost, it is significant to our main road networks," the Prime Minister told the House. 

 

Mr. Holness added that the road repair bill could balloon at the end of the assessment period. 

 

"We are still tallying the damage to the parochial roads, and as I give regular updates, these figures will become available. Many areas remain inaccessible, complicating our relief efforts," he lamented. However, he said the 200 main corridors that were blocked have all been reopened, at least to single lane traffic.