Easington bypass road in St Thomas to close briefly for culvert installation

Motorists in St Thomas are being put on notice that the temporary detour route built around the closed Easington Bridge will be taken out of service on Wednesday so that emergency repairs can be carried out.

Stephen Shaw, Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the National Works Agency (NWA), said the shutdown is needed to allow crews to install culvert pipes along the route. The added drainage is intended to help the road stand up better to flooding during heavy weather.

According to Shaw, the latest works became unavoidable after recent downpours eroded sections of the temporary roadway. Crews are aiming to reopen the route by Friday.

The bypass was constructed across the Yallahs River to keep traffic moving for drivers who would ordinarily depend on the Easington Bridge. That bridge has been out of commission since Hurricane Melissa swept through the island in October 2025.

The Easington Bridge is set to be rebuilt under the Accelerated Bridge Programme, a national initiative that will see 47 bridges across Jamaica overhauled.