Major Port Antonio Bypass Project to Break Ground in May

Construction work on the long-awaited Port Antonio Bypass in Portland is scheduled to start in May 2026, marking a major step forward in Jamaica’s ongoing road infrastructure upgrade.

The project forms part of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project and is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and connectivity in and around the resort town of Port Antonio.

The planned bypass will span approximately 7.5 kilometres and is designed as a four-lane roadway stretching from Turtle Crawl Harbour on the eastern side of the town to Norwich in the west. The development carries an estimated price tag of US$81 million.

Officials have indicated that the initiative is entering its main construction phase following the completion of critical preparatory work. Ground activities are projected to ramp up within weeks once mobilisation begins.

Land acquisition remains a key component of the process, with numerous properties identified for partial and full acquisition to facilitate the new road alignment. Authorities say engagement with affected stakeholders is ongoing.

The bypass is expected to ease congestion within Port Antonio’s town centre, improve travel efficiency, and support economic activity in Portland and neighbouring parishes.

The project is being overseen by the National Works Agency, which has responsibility for major road development and maintenance across the island.

Completion of the roadway is projected to take approximately 18 months once full construction gets under way.