Holness launches SPARK main roads programme targeting 37 corridors

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has launched the SPARK Main Roads Programme, the next phase of the Government's $45-billion road and water infrastructure drive, saying 37 priority corridors across 11 parishes are to be rehabilitated under the islandwide push. Speaking at the Office of the Prime Minister, Holness said the wider SPARK programme provides funding for main roads, community roads, water infrastructure and engineering, supervision and design work. The new phase also includes two grade-separated projects in the Corporate Area.

Minister with responsibility for works Robert Morgan said 37 main roads have been identified and more than 300 community roads are already in the construction process under SPARK. He said the Government consulted people in 63 constituencies and compiled a list of 630 community roads, though not all can be done under SPARK 1, and planning is now to begin for SPARK 2. "Spark is not a patching programme," Morgan said, adding that the works are meant to deliver full rehabilitation with culverts, retaining walls, sidewalks, road markings and safety features, including tactile elements for visually impaired road users.

Permanent Secretary Arlene Williams said the investment is meant to improve daily travel, support business activity and build greater resilience into the road network. National Works Agency officials said the main road package will cover about 170 kilometres of roadway and that work orders have already been issued for 31 of the 37 roads. China Harbour Engineering Company is the main contractor, working with more than 25 local subcontractors. The agency said the scope goes beyond resurfacing to include drainage, slope stabilisation, retaining walls, bridges, culverts, signage and pedestrian safety upgrades, with water, sewer and fibre-ready infrastructure to be addressed where needed.

Among the headline projects are the upgrade of Washington Boulevard from Six Miles to Molynes Road and the Dunrobin Road extension to East Kings House Road, both involving grade separation to ease congestion. The NWA said more than 900,000 people should benefit directly from the main road package.

Holness said public frustration over bad roads is justified, but argued the problem has built up over decades, with most of Jamaica's roads constructed more than 60 years ago and fewer than 5 per cent fully rehabilitated. He said he has tasked Morgan with delivering the One Road Authority by early next year to improve standards, maintenance, asset management and enforcement, while the Government also works on strengthening local contractor capacity so bigger capital projects can be carried out faster.