Government launches SPARK main roads programme with $45 billion infrastructure push

The Government on Thursday launched the main roads component of the SPARK programme, a $45 billion infrastructure initiative that officials said is aimed at rehabilitating key corridors, improving community roads and upgrading related water systems across Jamaica. The launch was held at the Office of the Prime Minister on July 2, 2026.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the programme includes $20 billion for main roads, $16 billion for community roads, $5 billion for water infrastructure and $4 billion for engineering, design, consultancy, supervision and related costs. He said the project is meant to move beyond short-term patching and into full road rehabilitation, arguing that many of Jamaica's roads are decades old and no longer suited to current traffic volumes, vehicle weights or rainfall patterns.

Works Minister Robert Morgan said 37 main roads have been identified for the next phase, along with two grade-separated projects in the Corporate Area. He said more than 300 community roads are already being worked on under SPARK and described that as an unprecedented scale of rehabilitation over a two-year period. Morgan also said consultations were held in communities across the island before roads were prioritised, and that planning has already begun for SPARK 2 because all of the roads identified cannot be tackled under the first phase.

Permanent Secretary Arlene Williams said the main roads works will cover about 170 kilometres of Jamaica's primary road network. She said the scope goes beyond resurfacing and includes drainage works, slope stabilisation, retaining walls, road markings, signage, pedestrian safety features, and bridge and culvert improvements where needed.

National Works Agency senior director Varden Downer said the programme spans all 14 parishes under its wider road package and is being carried out in four packages. He said 394 roads are now in the programme, including 363 local and community roads, and that 110 had already been paved at the time of the launch. He added that 31 main roads had already been issued as work orders, while the wider main roads package is expected to improve 37 roads across 11 parishes and directly benefit more than 900,000 people.

Officials said China Harbour Engineering Company is the main contractor, supported by local subcontractors, and stressed that the works are being designed to strengthen resilience, reduce travel time, improve safety and support economic activity.