The construction phase of the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network Project (SPARK) is now underway. SPARK, a government road rehabilitation programme valued at $45 – Billion officially began its construction phase this past weekend in the Harbour Heights community in St. Andrew.
The work is being done along Everest Drive and will see the 1.1 kiliometers stretch of road being completely rehabilitated at a cost of $60 Million. The works will also include waterline and fibre optic ducts installation, as well as the construction of pedestrian facilities. The road is located in the constituency of East Kingston and Port Royal, where Phillip Paulwell is the Member of Parliament.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Honourable, Andrew Holness today did a walk-through of the project. He was accompanied by Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Robert Morgan, along with Chief Executive Officer of the National Works Agency, E.G. Hunter and MP, Philip Paulwell.
Prime Minister Holness says that Everest Drive had been identified as one of the community roads for rehabilitation, following extensive consultations with residents. The had been put forward by Mr. Paulwell Prime Minister Holness says that the consultations were part of a necessary nationwide initiative and included all 63 constituencies. Some 650 roads have been identified for inclusion in the SPARK project. The list of roads include main and parochial corridors. Roads in housing schemes are also included.
Prime Minister Holness in speaking about the rehabilitative works now being done along Everest Drive, says that the road was being done under the $20 – Billion allocated to fix parochial roads under the SPARK project. A similar amount is to be used to target main roads.
The SPARK Programme is designed to enhance Jamaica’s road-user experience, infrastructure resilience, environmental sustainability, and boost socio-economic activities. The construction phase is slated for completion within two (2) years, which will be followed by a one (1) year defects liability period.
