Phillips THE GOVERNMENT is to spend $147 million to carry out major road work in nine parishes under its deferred payment programme, Transport and Works Minister Dr. Peter Phillips said last Thursday.
He made the announcement during a press briefing at his Pawsey Road, New Kingston office where several contracts were signed between Ministry officials and contractors' representatives.
The bulk of the money, $23.4 million, will finance repairs to the Glasgow to Green Island main road in Hanover and the Elderslie to Merrywood road in St. Elizabeth. The contractor, Y.P. Seaton, has also been awarded the contract to repair the Little London to Broughton and Chesterfield to Lambs River roads in Westmoreland. That contract sum is $19.9 million.
Y.P. Seaton was also awarded the $21.3 million contract which will result in repairs to the Bath to Hordley main road in St. Thomas and the Breastworks to Nonsuch roads in Portland. The Guava Ridge to Silver Hill road in St. Andrew and Woodside to Rock Spring will be done for $18.8m. Contractor is HDB Construction Limited.
A $12 million contract has been awarded to D.R. Foote Construction for work on the Johns Hall to Deviation roads in St. James, while $18.7 million will be spent on the Old Harbour to Bois Content and Springfield to Rio Mango roads in St. Catherine. An additional $19.5 million will be spent to fix the Kensington to Jackson road in St. Catherine and $16.8 million for work on the Lionel Town to Rocky Point main road in Clarendon.
The bridge spanning the Plantain Garden River in St. Thomas will be replaced at a cost of $27 million. The work is scheduled to last two years.
Dr. Phillips said the contracts were awarded on the basis of competitive tendering. He urged contractors to complete the work which is scheduled to start within 30 days, on time, and within budget.
