The roads in Jamaica allow people and goods to traverse the island of Jamaica, which is the third largest in the Caribbean. As of 2011, Jamaica has road network 22,121 kilometres in length.[1]
According to the National Works Agency, in 2007 Jamaica had 844 km of arterial roads, 717 km of secondary roads, 3225 km of tertiary roads, 282 km of urban roads, and 10326 km of parochial roads.[2] Using data from 2011, the CIA World Factbook claimed Jamaica has a total road network of 22121 km, 5973 km of which was unpaved and 16148 km of which was paved.[1]
Various pieces of legislation govern the construction, maintenance, classification, and operation of roads in Jamaica. They include the Road Traffic Act, the Toll Road Act, the Parochial Roads Act, and the Main Roads Act. Government agencies with various responsibilities relating to roads in Jamaica include the Island Traffic Authority, the Toll Authority of Jamaica, and the National Works Agency.[3][4]
Starting in the late 1990s the Jamaican Government (in cooperation with private investors) embarked on the Highway 2000 project to create a system of motorways, the first such access-controlled roads of their kind on the island. The project seeks ultimately to link the two main cities (Kingston and Montego Bay) and the north coast. It is being undertaken as a series of phases:[5]
On 2009-09-15 Jamaica's prime minister, Bruce Golding, announced to Parliament that Highway 2000 was to be renamed in honour of Usain Bolt.[6] Those intentions were sidelined following a news paper article claiming Bolt had rejected the proposal.
1998, the Government of Jamaica and the European Commission signed the financing agreement for the third segment of the Northern Coastal Highway Improvement Project in the amount of €80 million. The Project involves the reconstruction and re-habilitation of approximately 96 km (60 mi) of road between Ocho Rios; St. Ann; and Port Antonio, Portland. Total cost of the project is €105.0 million with the GOJ contributing €25 million for land acquisition and re-settlement as well as the construction of three bridges along the segment.
The entire project consists of approximately 287 km (178 mi) of roadway and is divided into three segments. · Segment 1 – Negril to Montego Bay (approx. 71 km [44 mi]) · Segment 2 – Montego Bay to Ocho Rios (approx. 97 km [60 mi]) · Segment 3 – Ocho Rios to Fair Prospect (approx. 119 km [74 mi])[7]
Approval has been given by Cabinet for the execution of a contract between the government and China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. for the design, improvement and construction of Sections 1A and 1B of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project. This will involve work from Harbour View to Morant Bay as part of the overall Segment from Harbour View to Port Antonio.
The existing main road along this southern coastal section of the island has been in generally poor condition. The alignment, surface condition, drainage are in need of major improvement.
The Harbour View to Morant Bay section covers some 43 km (27 mi), with Morant Bay to Port Antonio approximately 65 km (40 mi). The work on the Harbour View to Morant Bay leg is estimated to cost approximately US$385 million.
Among the improvement works will be a re alignment of the White Horses Bypass to the south of the town along the sea coast rather than to the north and modification of the Morant Bay Bypass at the western and eastern ends.
A section of the highway will also be constructed to accommodate four lanes and major structures are to be built including 16 bridges, one flyover, and one subway, along with new pipe and box culverts.
Financing for the project is through the China Exim Bank. It is being accommodated in the 5-year Public Sector Investment Programmes covering the period from 2016 to 2021.[8]
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