JPS teams have escalated streetlight repairs across the island ahead of the Christmas Holiday to ensure the commuting public benefits from improved lighting during the festive season. 

The focused effort, which commenced some three weeks ago, will see almost five thousand streetlights being repaired, across the island. This undertaking aims to enhance safety and help foster the holiday spirit for the general public.

Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery at JPS, Blaine Jarrett, reiterated the company’s position in working with local authorities to ensure improved illumination island-wide. “We have been working closely with stakeholders, including the municipalities, to ensure that towns are especially well-lit during this festive season,” he said. “Streetlight repairs are part of JPS’ year-round maintenance activities. However, our repair schedule was disrupted by the passage of Hurricane Beryl, and further hampered by the fact that several lights were impacted in the hardest hit areas.” 

A few of the thoroughfares already completed include: Chapleton to Frankfield in Clarendon, the Fair Prospect Main Road in Portland, Jose Marti to Windsor Heights in St Catherine and the Palisadoes strip, a popular route for Kingstonians celebrating New Year’s Eve by viewing fireworks along the Kingston Harbour.

The utility has also been collaborating with the National Works Agency (NWA) to facilitate repairs of streetlights owned by the government entity, with works being done on the Bogue Road and Elegant Corridor, (which runs from the round-a-bout at the Sangster International Airport to the Iberostar Hotel), in Montego Bay.

Ongoing Challenges

When asked about the factors contributing to non-working streetlights, Orlando Mckoy, Director of Transmission and Distribution Asset Management at JPS cited theft and motor vehicle accidents as two of the major reasons.

“The number one challenge the company contends with is the theft of electricity fixtures. Streetlights along the Palisadoes Strip in Kingston, the Dyke Road and Hellshire Main Roads in St. Catherine and the Chesterfield stretch in St. Andrew, have been replaced several times over because of criminal elements stealing JPS property,” he explained.

The company continues to appeal to residents and the authorities to play their part in reporting and bringing perpetrators to account for the major disruption caused by the actions of thieves.

The company also listed motor vehicle accidents as a major contributor to the damage of streetlights and has called for greater caution along the roadways to prevent inconvenience to customers, particularly during the Christmas season, when there is usually a spike in accidents.

JPS has made it clear that while most corridors will see an improvement in illumination for 2024, works will continue throughout the first quarter of 2025.  Customers are asked to stay connected to the company’s WhatsApp and social media channels @myjpsonline for updates regarding the streetlight repair schedule.