Minister with responsibility for works, Robert Nesta Morgan, said the Government has approved the policy framework for the One Road Authority, a reform designed to improve road outcomes through clear standards, accountability, and disciplined delivery.

Morgan emphasised that for years Jamaicans have experienced uneven road quality, slow follow-through, and a lack of confidence expressed by citizens, as road repairs have not been done properly, even when funds are allocated.

“One of the root causes of this situation is fragmentation, as many different entities manage roads across the island, and there are different standards across these varying entities. There are also different quality assurance practises and approaches, and in many cases, the public is left with one simple question: who is responsible for my road,” Morgan said.

To combat these challenges, he revealed that the One Road Authority has been implemented as an executive agency under the portfolio of the Ministry of Works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development.

“The core mandate of the One Road Authority is to regulate standards and performance for all roads, but implement works on national main roads. Cabinet also approved the development of the Jamaica Road Designation Framework as well as the Jamaica Road Register.

“And we’re already in the process of creating the Jamaica Road Register website, where every Jamaican will have access to a list of all roads, the quality of the road and who is responsible for your road, and ultimately, when your road will be repaired and if it has been repaired, who repaired it, what was the value of the repair and if you have complaints and questions, you can send it through the Jamaica Road register,” Minister Morgan continued.

The Jamaica Road Designation framework will determine how roads are designated, whether they be main roads, farm roads or Parish Council roads.

Morgan emphasised that the ministry has recommended mechanisms and the necessary legislative and regulatory amendments through consultations with stakeholder including parish councils, agricultural interests, community members and civil society.

• The Jamaica Road Designation framework will set and enforce a single standard for roadworks across the island, ensuring quality is consistent and roads are durable across the country.
• It will strengthen quality assurance and compliance monitoring so that contractors and executing entities are held accountable for road standard requirements.
• It will also introduce stronger performance reporting so that the public can see what is planned. What is delivered and what standards are being met for national main roads, or will bring discipline in planning, procurement, contract management and maintenance programming so that we move away from repeating emergency patching every year and have a structured national programme for road maintenance and rehabilitation.

Minister Morgan detailed that this will ensure more consistent road quality because the same standards of quality will be applied across the island in the various categories of roads.

“This is about making road repair and maintenance more predictable and accountable instead of the ad-hoc system that we have known.”

Purpose of the One Road Authority and guidelines for using roadways

He clarified that the One Road Authority is not here to get rid of the road responsibility of local government. “As a matter of fact, it would be irresponsible and foolhardy for one agency to seek to take control of every single road in Jamaica because there are indeed roads that are legitimately community roads that should continue to be the responsibility of the local authorities.”

However, Morgan says the government will be enforcing stricter standards of quality and accountability for all roads that impact the public, including local, farm and private roads.

He explained that once a road is repaired or constructed by any entity—whether as part of a housing scheme or another development—the public can be assured that it will meet a defined standard of quality. At the same time, the updated framework will place responsibilities on members of the public to help protect road infrastructure.

“So we will enhance the consequences for persons who allow material to destroy our roads… With the update to the Main Roads Act and other consequent legislation, we’re going to have significant penalties for persons who undermine or destroy our road infrastructure,” Morgan said.

Addressing the implementation of the One Road Authority, Morgan said Cabinet has approved a two-phase approach. Phase one, which has a 90-day deadline, will focus on establishing an enabling framework within the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

This phase will involve outlining the operational design, identifying legislative and regulatory changes, and reviewing core instruments such as road designation criteria and the structure of the Jamaica National Road Register. These mechanisms, along with any required legal amendments, will then be taken back to Cabinet for approval.

Phase two, which will span three to 24 months, will include the declaration of initial national roads under the approved criteria, publication of an interim road register, and the harmonisation of relevant legislation. It will also focus on strengthening management systems, data collection, and performance-based maintenance systems.

Morgan emphasised that clear road designation criteria are critical as Jamaica continues to evolve, noting that changes in development patterns and infrastructure needs make it essential to modernise how roads are classified and managed.