Photo by Richard Morais
An artistic impression of the redeveloped Falmouth Port as viewed from Tharpe Street, in the vicinity of the fire station.
FALMOUTH, Trelawny:
Work on the redevelopment of the port in Falmouth will get under way next February, in time for the arrival of the new mega cruise liner, Freedom of the Seas, which is due to call in 2009.
Minister of Transport and Works, Mike Henry, said "All the things that are necessary, the contracts that are necessary, all the studies that are necessary, except for some little ones, have been completed. Work will start in February and it has to start in February, because we have to complete it in time for the arrival of that 19-storey ship, which is due to come in 2009, so we have to be ready to be one of the ports of call."
Minister Henry, who was in London this week for the meeting of the International Maritime Organisation, said the development of Falmouth's port is among a number of major projects, some already underway, which are designed to improve the country's transport infrastructure.
Others include the development of the Vernamfield aerodrome, the expansion of the Port of Kingston, privatisation of the Norman Manley International Airport, and the rehabilitation of the railway service.
In terms of Vernamfield, the minister indicated that "the final studies are being done and we have private sector involvement already committed and, in about three to four months, we should be positive on the phased development of it." The project is scheduled to be completed in four stages.
In the meantime, he informed that the expansion of the Port of Kingston, now underway, will involve the closing of the Tinson Pen Aerodrome and the construction of a new aerodrome at Caymanas. There are also proposals for the privatisation of the Norman Manley International Airport.
Turning to the railway service, Mr. Henry said he will be looking at how quickly the service can be rehabilitated. He said a presentation will be made to Cabinet next week on the way forward.
- JIS
