Holness opens $250m Spring Village Bridge in St Catherine

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has formally opened the rebuilt Spring Village Bridge in St Catherine, restoring a major community link that had been closed since September 2022 after the old structure was deemed unsafe.

The bridge, valued at about $250 million, serves Spring Village and nearby communities used by residents, students, transport operators, workers and businesses, including Jamaica Broilers. Minister without portfolio Robert Morgan said the new crossing includes pedestrian access, concrete walls, protective works, signs and road markings, making it a safer and more resilient replacement.

Holness said the previous bridge, also referred to during the ceremony as the Nightingale Grove Bridge, had served the area for generations before heavy water flows weakened its approaches and abutments. He said engineers at the National Works Agency later identified cracks and closed the structure to traffic.

The prime minister said the project took time because it had to pass through the public investment appraisal process and later through procurement. He said the work also required specialised piling equipment, which limited the pool of contractors able to take on the job. Contractor Mr Woodbine was commended for delivering the Spring Village project and the Troy Bridge, which was opened the previous week.

South West St Catherine Member of Parliament Clifford Warmington said residents had long complained about the loss of the bridge and thanked the Government, the contractor, Jamaica Broilers and state officials for helping to get the project completed. Permanent Secretary Arlene Williams also thanked residents for their patience and said their criticism helped push the work forward.

Morgan said the bridge forms part of a wider national infrastructure programme, including the $45-billion SPARK road programme, six major capital road projects valued at about $17 billion, and a priority bridge programme targeting 55 bridges across Jamaica.

Holness used the ceremony to argue that public spending on infrastructure must be guided by national benefit rather than political pressure. He also said Jamaica faces labour shortages in construction and signalled that the Government is considering further training measures, while also examining whether overseas skills may be needed to support major rebuilding and infrastructure works.