Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

The National Works Agency (NWA) says it has started work to mitigate the continuous flooding on Queens Drive, in Montego Bay.

"We are seeking to have the sinkhole reopened to accommodate more water than it normally does," said NWA communications director, Stephen Shaw.

Flooding along the stretch of roadway in front of the El Greco condominiums has been a contentious matter for motorists in the Second City for several years.

On June 6 citizens reiterated their concerns in writing to The Gleaner's Hospitality Jamaica where they complained that the flood waters were costing thousands of dollars in repairs to their vehicles. A female driver also had to be rescued when her vehicle fell into a ditch.

Cause of flooding

According to Mr. Shaw, the flooding is due largely to a build, up of silt in a nearby sinkhole, which is located on the El Greco property.

"It is a soakaway," he said. "Because of the amount of silt that comes off the road, the mouth might be heavily silted, so you go in, and take that out so that the water might run off a little quicker. You cannot do any drilling or blasting; that may only make the situation worse."

The NWA officer was, however, unable to say how long the process will take and how much it will cost.

"We are not in a position to tell you it will cost you $2 or $5 or whatever it is. What you do is that you quantify the work based on the prevailing rate and then you arrive at a figure," he said.

Among the long-term solutions for the problem on the table is the construction of a pump to drain the water.

claudine.housen@gleanerjm.com