Jamaica approves fast-track plan to replace 55 bridges

The Government has received the go-ahead for a major bridge renewal effort to be carried out through the National Works Agency (NWA), in what officials say ranks among Jamaica's biggest bridge replacement undertakings.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with Responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Morgan, announced the development at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on May 14.

The clearance came through the Public Investment Appraisal Branch (PIAB) process, under the Public Investment Management System (PIMS), allowing the Administration to move ahead with the Accelerated Bridge Programme.

Morgan said 55 bridges across Jamaica are to be replaced over the next 12 to 18 months. "So we got the approval yesterday (May 13) through the PIAB process for the accelerated bridge programme. This is one of the largest bridge replacement programmes to have ever been attempted by any Government," he stated.

He said urgent infrastructure needs will guide the work, with attention also being given to communities exposed to disasters in western Jamaica. "Bridges, such as the Black River Bridge, will be replaced, and about 20 bridges in the disaster areas in the western end of the island from St. Elizabeth to Hanover, Westmoreland to St. James and also Trelawny," Morgan informed.

The Minister said the programme fits into the Government's wider push to make public infrastructure stronger and to improve safety for Jamaicans.

He added that the NWA, which oversees roughly 800 bridges nationwide, continues to inspect bridge conditions under its bridge management system. "We do have a programme where we review 10 per cent of the bridges every year, and these 55 bridges would come out of that review. They are the first set of bridges to be replaced," Morgan said.

The Accelerated Bridge Programme is intended to improve travel links, build greater protection against disasters, and make transportation routes across Jamaica safer and more dependable.