The planned works to improve, Seaview Drive, the main eastern access to the town of Lucea, Hanover will be undertaken through the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) Project.
The works were announced last week and include the placement of an eight inches thick rigid concrete pavement. This pavement is to form part of the resilience being built into the stretch, along Seaview Drive. This section of road often floods and is impacted by wave action.
Minister with responsibility for Works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development (MEGID), Robert Nesta Morgan says that having reviewed the plans and scope, it was decided that works were to be advanced under SPARK. The road forms part of the corridor from Montego Bay to Negril, which is to benefit under the main roads component of the multi-billion-dollar SPARK Project. Some Four billion dollars is to be spent on this stretch.
Minister Morgan says that with the need to replace aged waterlines and to provide for the installation of underground utilities, having the work done through the SPARK Project would provide greater benefits for Hanover and the island’s tourism product.
Resulting from the change, the National Works Agency (NWA) has been tasked with the responsibility to immediately target other roads that will function as alternatives to Seaview Drive. These include the road from Riley to Dias to Glasgow and Green Island; the Long Hill main road in St. James and the stretch from Montpelier to McField.
Minister Morgan says that he expects that the works along Seaview Drive will commence next week through contractors, China Harbour Engineering. The activities will, however, remain low keyed, until the works on the alternative routes have been substantially completed.
Minister Morgan says that instructions have been given to the leadership of the NWA to engage all key stakeholders, including tourism interests on all aspects of the works. He says that the police, fire department and local political representatives are expected to work with the NWA in order to have this very important project executed in an orderly manner.
