NWA Closes Easington Bypass for Culvert Installation and Flood-Resilience Repairs

The temporary road serving as a detour around the shuttered Easington Bridge in St. Thomas will be taken out of service for emergency works beginning Wednesday, May 6.

According to Stephen Shaw, Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the National Works Agency (NWA), the closure is needed so crews can install culvert pipes along the route. Once in place, the pipes are expected to strengthen the road against future flooding.

Shaw explained that the repairs were prompted by erosion along the bypass, brought on by recent heavy rainfall. Officials anticipate that the work will be wrapped up by Friday.

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

A permanent replacement for the Easington Bridge is slated to be delivered through the Accelerated Bridge Programme, an initiative that will address 47 bridges across Jamaica.