‘Government to redesign major commercial corridors to support urban expansion’
/ Our Today
administrator
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says the Government is moving decisively to redesign and modernise key commercial corridors across Jamaica to better accommodate rapid urban growth, high traffic volumes, and expanding business activity.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the BOOT 2 Commercial Complex in Drax Hall, St. Ann, last Friday (October 10), Holness emphasised the need for forward-looking infrastructure that can sustain
Jamaica’s pace of development.
“The roadway in its present form cannot serve the new and emerging needs of this urbanised and commercial district,” the prime minister said.
“We have to acknowledge and incorporate the developments that already exist, plan for those to come, and do it in a way that is future-proof.”
Holness noted that the Drax Hall corridor, originally built to function as a highway, has evolved into a vibrant urban and commercial hub, with housing, hotels, and businesses multiplying in recent years. The surge in development has led to traffic levels far exceeding the road’s original design capacity, necessitating a comprehensive redesign.
“We can’t have a road that plays two roles,” he continued. “A highway cutting through an urbanised area will eventually act more like a local road. What we need is a modern boulevard that supports both commercial activity and efficient traffic flow.”
The prime minister said the redesign will prioritise safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability while fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents and commuters.
He also praised the leadership of Booth, developer of the BOOT 2 project, commending him as part of a “new vanguard of Jamaican investors” who are capitalising on the stable economic environment and
contributing to national growth.
“There is a new class of entrepreneurs emerging in Jamaica, risk-takers who are creating jobs, generating wealth, and driving development,” Holness said.
The prime minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to integrating long-term planning, infrastructure improvement, and private sector investment to ensure Jamaica’s growth is sustainable, orderly, and inclusive.
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