Montego Bay Mayor Announces $150-Million Road Repair Initiative for St. James

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, has announced a $150-million initiative to repair more than 20 roads across the parish of St. James by December 2024. The project, spearheaded by the St. James Municipal Corporation, will be executed in partnership with the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), and the National Housing Trust (NHT).

Speaking at the Municipal Corporation’s monthly meeting on Thursday, October 10, Mayor Vernon, who also serves as Chairman of the Corporation, outlined plans to address critical road infrastructure across the parish, improving transportation and safety. Among the roads scheduled for repair are Providence Heights, Palm Tree Drive, Bogue Hill Road, Mount Zion Road, Plum Tree Drive, Cornwall Gardens, Catherine Mount, Charles Drive, Peace View Road, Jungle Road, Bottom Cambridge Road, Richmond Hill, Copperwood, and Lightbody Avenue. Roads in downtown Montego Bay, such as Love Lane, will also undergo repairs, including upgrades to drainage systems.

In addition, the Mayor revealed that infrastructural improvements will extend to the Elegant Corridor, a key route between the Sangster International Airport roundabout and Iberostar Hotel in Lilliput. The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has taken a significant step by paying $68.8 million to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company for the takeover and repair of the corridor’s lighting infrastructure.

“The reinstallation and redirection of damaged light poles will enhance safety, improve the aesthetics of the area, and boost one of our primary economic drivers—tourism,” said Councillor Vernon.

The initiative is expected to not only enhance road conditions across the parish but also contribute to the continued development of Montego Bay’s tourism sector, vital to the local economy.