Some 42 more roads will be included this week under the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to Our Road Network (SPARK), bringing to 188 roads so far included in the programme across all 63 constituencies.
Works Minister Robert Morgan disclosed that the 42 additional roads will come under work order number four, which has just been finalised. The J$45 billion SPARK programme commenced in December 2024 with the government already issuing three work orders covering 126 roads across 63 constituencies.
Morgan, in a statement to Parliament on Tuesday (April 1), disclosed that works have commenced in several areas across the island, declaring that “SPARK will revolutionise Jamaica’s infrastructure, modernise its road networks to enhance road safety, reduce travel times, and lower vehicle operating costs”.
This initiative, he told the House of Representatives, will improve economic efficiency, bolster Jamaica’s tourism appeal, and create employment opportunities.
The scope of work under SPARK includes the rehabilitation of main, local, and community roads, addressing pavements, select intersections, sidewalks, drainage, and retaining walls. The project integrates water infrastructure upgrades and fibre optic ducting to support future broadband connectivity.
A crucial element of SPARK cited by the portfolio minister is the J$5 billion investment in water pipeline upgrades, synchronised with roadworks to mitigate against disruptions and maximise efficiency.
Update on REACH patching project
Morgan provided Parliament with an update on the Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH), where the emergency patching program costing some J$2 billion is 80 per cent complete while the broader J$3 billion repair initiative is progressing steadily. Phase one of the constituency-based works is 72 per cent finished with both phases on track for completion this June.
The Main Road Patching Programme is addressing the deteriorating roads caused by severe weather events, including Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Raphael. He announced an additional allocation of J$1.5 billion for road rehabilitation.
“I want to announce an additional sum to complete the work that started under reach today, the first day of the Financial Year. The NWA will spend an additional 1.5 billion dollars on road rehabilitation through our quarterly patching program over the next three months to continue the work we started under the REACH Emergency program last year,” Morgan advised.
Comments