NWA Works to Restore Access After Road Collapse in Bangor Ridge, Portland

PORTLAND, Jamaica — The National Works Agency (NWA) is working to clear a path through a hillside in Bangor Ridge, Portland, after the main road in the area collapsed on Saturday due to continuous heavy rainfall. The collapse has left approximately 1,500 residents stranded and has cut off access to several nearby communities.

The road breakaway in Bangor Ridge, a farming community in western Portland, was caused by persistent rainfall that began late last week. The collapse has rendered the road impassable for vehicles, severely disrupting the movement of goods and people.

The situation has been further complicated by a large landslide about two kilometers from the main road, which has blocked access to other communities such as Mahoe, Fairfield, Mango Row, and Barnett.

On Monday, the NWA dispatched a team of workers equipped with heavy-duty machinery to the affected area to begin carving out a temporary, single-lane connection through the hillside. The team is also working to clear the massive landslide that has further exacerbated the disruption.

Rohan Vassell, councillor for the Balcarres division, highlighted the urgency of restoring access, particularly for the farming community, which relies on the road for the transportation of crops. “This is a farm area, which produces varied crops, including coffee, banana, plantain, yam, pepper, pumpkin, carrot, and dasheen. It is reaping time now, so it is important for them to earn from their livelihood,” Vassell said. He emphasized the need for swift action to clear the road and landslide, as the road closure has also hindered the ability of teachers and students to get to the Fairfield Primary School, disrupting learning.

While the NWA works to restore access, some residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the agency’s response, pointing to what they describe as long-standing issues with the road’s maintenance. Several have blamed poor drainage and inadequate infrastructure for the collapse.

Sixty-six-year-old farmer Melvin Tyrell was among those frustrated with the situation. He criticized the lack of cross-drains and proper drainage systems along the road, which he believes contributed to the collapse and the subsequent landslide.

“I’ve reported this issue to the parish council in Port Antonio, and they promised to send someone to deal with it. Up to now, nothing has been done,” Tyrell said. “The lack of maintenance on the road, especially when it rains, is what caused this. There are no cross-drains, so the rainwater just flows over the road and causes damage.”

Tyrell’s concerns reflect the frustration of many residents, who feel that repeated requests for proper drainage and road repairs have gone unaddressed for years.

As the NWA works to carve out a temporary route through the hillside, the residents of Bangor Ridge and surrounding communities are hoping for a swift resolution to the crisis. The road serves as a vital lifeline for farmers who need to transport their produce to market, as well as for residents who rely on the road for daily activities.

In the meantime, the NWA is urging the public to exercise patience as work continues in the area. The agency has committed to restoring full access to the affected communities as quickly as possible and addressing the landslide as part of the restoration efforts.

However, with the onset of the rainy season and the ongoing concerns about drainage, the residents of Bangor Ridge are calling for a more permanent solution to prevent further road collapses in the future.