A total of 42 road projects will be undertaken under Work Order 1 of the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) Programme.
These works, which will span 21 constituencies across eight parishes, will be carried out at a cost of $1.9 billion.
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Morgan, made the disclosure during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (February 4).
He said that work is scheduled to begin this week in the Corporate Area under Work Order 1.
“I am pleased to report that China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has received the project scope and has commenced preliminary site visits,” Mr. Morgan said.
He informed that rehabilitation projects will get under way in several areas, including Belview Avenue (Kingston East and Port Royal): and Bustamante Highway and North Street from King’s Street to Crab Ground (Kingston Western); Passion Gardens and Bayview Retreat (St. Andrew East Rural); Buttercup Drive and Doherty Drive (St. Andrew Eastern); Liguanea Avenue and Richings Avenue (St. Andrew North-Eastern); and Upper Aries and Orange Grove Road (St. Andrew North-Central).
Work has already started on Everest Drive in the constituency of Kingston East and Port Royal.
Other road projects under Work Order 1 are located in South Eastern, Eastern, East Central and South Central St. Catherine; North West and Central Manchester; South West, South East and North East St. Elizabeth; Eastern and Western Portland; Central St. Mary; as well as Northern and Southern Trelawny.
Minister Morgan informed that Work Order #2, which will cover 42 additional roads across 21 constituencies, is expected to commence by late February, while Work Order #3, which includes another 42 roads across 21 constituencies, is scheduled to begin in March.
“All constituencies will get an initial two SPARK roads before the end of the financial year. In this financial year, we will begin about 126 critical roadways across Jamaica, improving connectivity, easing congestion, and strengthening community resilience,” he told the House.
“We expect that by April, we will start seeing the completion of our first set of SPARK roads, and we expect these three work orders will be completed by June of this year,” he added.
In the meantime, to ensure accountability and efficiency, the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation will strictly oversee project timelines, contractor performance, and quality standards.
Additionally, Members of Parliament and local stakeholders are being encouraged to remain engaged in the monitoring process, ensuring that all communities benefit fully from this national initiative.