The long
awaited rehabilitation of the Palisadoes main road became a reality Thursday with
the official launch of the Palisadoes and Shoreline Rehabilitation and
Preservation Project.
The project which is an agreement between the Governments of Jamaica and China and is expected to provide hundreds of jobs when it gets underway in July.
The Palisadoes main road, the only access to the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, has been a problem for successive governments.
Over the past four years it has suffered significant erosion due to sea surge swell caused by hurricanes.
However, over the next two years, the strip will be developed in two phases at a cost of US$465 million dollars.
In the first phase, the Palisadoes Strip will be rehabilitated at a cost of US$65 million which will result in it being widened into four lanes.
The second phase will consist of US$400 million infrastructure work.
Some of the other features of the development include the lifting of the road from the Harbour View Round-a-bout to the round-a-bout at the Norman Manley International Airport and the installation of a boardwalk.
China/JA partnership
Jinghua Chen, Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica, was at the launch and said the project would serve to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
"We also become a milestone for a closer bond between China and Jamaica. We are jointly and unswervingly marching on a wider and wider road of mutual development and common prosperity.
"As the international financial crisis has badly impacted the economies of both China and Jamaica, we should help each other enhance co-operation and jointly cope with the challenges," Mr. Chen said.
In the meantime, Transport and Works Minister, Mike Henry, said the project allows for economic prosperity.
"When you come of the plane two years from now, you can have a four lane highway taking you into Kingston and connecting to many other things we plan along that, you'll recognize that the vision must be lifted," Mr. Henry said.
The project which is an agreement between the Governments of Jamaica and China and is expected to provide hundreds of jobs when it gets underway in July.
The Palisadoes main road, the only access to the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, has been a problem for successive governments.
Over the past four years it has suffered significant erosion due to sea surge swell caused by hurricanes.
However, over the next two years, the strip will be developed in two phases at a cost of US$465 million dollars.
In the first phase, the Palisadoes Strip will be rehabilitated at a cost of US$65 million which will result in it being widened into four lanes.
The second phase will consist of US$400 million infrastructure work.
Some of the other features of the development include the lifting of the road from the Harbour View Round-a-bout to the round-a-bout at the Norman Manley International Airport and the installation of a boardwalk.
China/JA partnership
Jinghua Chen, Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica, was at the launch and said the project would serve to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
"We also become a milestone for a closer bond between China and Jamaica. We are jointly and unswervingly marching on a wider and wider road of mutual development and common prosperity.
"As the international financial crisis has badly impacted the economies of both China and Jamaica, we should help each other enhance co-operation and jointly cope with the challenges," Mr. Chen said.
In the meantime, Transport and Works Minister, Mike Henry, said the project allows for economic prosperity.
"When you come of the plane two years from now, you can have a four lane highway taking you into Kingston and connecting to many other things we plan along that, you'll recognize that the vision must be lifted," Mr. Henry said.
All feeds
