MAJOR road works have commenced at the Port of Kingston maritime business district ahead of another phase of development of the port, which is scheduled to begin soon.
The Tinson Pen Aerodrome lands are to be incorporated into the existing port area.
The road works, said the transport ministry, will eliminate traffic congestion between the port and the significant urban centres of Portmore and downtown Kingston to the west and east of the Newport West maritime business district.
It will be designed to transform the area into a sterile zone with security and traffic control systems to ensure there are no impediments for the district’s legitimate businesses and their customers, said the ministry.
At the request of Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry, leaders of the maritime business community met Tuesday at the Newport West head office of the Shipping Association of Jamaica where technical experts outlined the scope of the road improvement works in progress.
Ivan Anderson, chief executive officer of the National Road Operating and Construction Company (NROCC), supported by Jean Noel Foulard of contractors Bouygues Travaux Publics Construction Company of France and Guillame DuBois of Trans Jamaican Highway Limited, delivered the presentation.
Technical contributions were also made by minister of state in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Joseph Hibbert; technical director Milton Hodelin, and Noel Hylton, chief executive officer of the Port Authority of Jamaica.
The maritime business community was represented by Grantley Stephenson, chief executive officer of Kingston Wharves Limited; Michael Bernard of the Shipping Association of Jamaica; and Ruel Gibson, Port Truckers Association, among others.
Anderson said that work commenced last month on the widening of the section of Marcus Garvey Drive between Ninth Avenue/ Tinson Pen and East Avenue. This, he said, was a significant component of a project budgeted at US$9.1 million that also includes patching adjacent roads. The work is expected to be completed in eight months.
Anderson also announced that in the eastbound direction, three lanes would be created from East Avenue to Ninth Avenue and that in the westbound direction, three lanes would be created from Second Avenue to Ninth Avenue, while two lanes would be created from East Avenue to Second Avenue.
He said additional street lights would also be installed, as well as new median barriers. Pedestrian sidewalks would also be included in the works, while rehabilitation and replacement of existing drainage infrastructure would be another component.
