Govt looks to speed up US$220mn Montego Bay bypass

Construction of Jamaica’s US$220mn Montego Bay bypass is increasingly likely to start next year as the government is aiming to speed up the process.

The government wants to declare the bypass a national development project which would give the finance ministry more influence in the contract. The lower house will also vote on modifications of the contract with Chinese Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), which was selected to build the 25km bypass.

“This would be the first major highway development financed with our own resources and not linked to a loan,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in the lower house, according to local outlet Loop Jamaica.

Resources will come from the national consolidated fund and will be managed by state construction company NROCC.

Initially, resources were expected to be provided by China’s Exim bank, which already financed the North-South highway.

However, in 2019 the government found that foreign finance was not needed.

But in April this year, the economic growth and job creation ministry said a contract had been signed with CHEC.

Works are divided into a 15km section between Ironshore and Bogue Road and a 10km enhancement of the Long Hill bypass, linking Montego Bay and Montpelier.

NROCC managing director Ivan Anderson told state news outlet JIS that the company has already the environmental permit and the project is in the design stage until the end of 2021. 

The company is also acquiring land, conducting surveys, and engaged in community work. JOI

Declaring the bypass a national development project could speed it up further.

“It should be abundantly clear that [Montego Bay], in many ways, is the economic capital of Jamaica. Traffic congestion has been a long-standing issue, as there is only one main thoroughfare connecting the east and the west,” finance and public service minister Nigel Clarke said in parliament, according to JIS.

Clarke highlighted that the bypass could boost Montego Bay’s tourism potential.

If declared a development project, at least 90% of unskilled construction work will have to be locally contracted and at least 50% of skilled work.

CHEC and Jamaica’s human resources trust would also ensure that every foreign worker becomes a mentor for their local counterpart, passing on their expertise.

Before works can start, drainage issues to avoid flooding need to be resolved, though. A technical flood survey is already underway.

Photo credit: Jamaica government