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MINISTER TOURS PORTMORE LEG OF HIGHWAY 2000

Minister Pickersgill and Mr. Jean Noel Foulard, Project and Branch Manager for Bouygues on the tour of the Portmore leg of Highway 2000.

Transport and Works Minister Robert Pickersgill along with State Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson, stakeholders associated with the Highway 2000 project, MTW officials and other interested parties toured the Portmore leg of Highway 2000 on Tuesday, February 21.

The tour which lasted for approximately one and a half hours saw the tour party visiting several areas along the corridor, including the bridge to replace the causeway (which is at an advanced stage of completion), the toll plaza and the Dyke Road which leads out to the Mandela Highway.

Speaking on the tour, Minister Pickersgill said that he was pleased to see the progress which has been made on the Portmore leg of the Highway. He said that work is on schedule and that the project should meet the July deadline. He noted that over $7billion has been spent on the project so far and that more will be expended to finish it. He also re-iterated his position that when that leg of the Highway is completed, it will result in improved vehicle costs and more convenient travelling times for commuters. He also asserted that the area in the vicinity of the Toll Road will benefit in that cost of properties will increase and real estate on the whole will increase in value.

Commenting on the matter of Bouygues Travaux, the developers of the road, leaving the island, the Minister had this to say: “ When the Phase that is now in progress is finished, if all the arrangements including most importantly, the financial arrangements are not put in place, then they will relocate.” “But if that is not so, they will stay…we have until 2007 for those things to be perfected …we certainly do not want the construction arm of Bouygues to go”, he continued.

Also speaking on the tour yesterday was Managing Director of the National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC) who said that in the initial stage, the developer, Trans Jamaica Highhway was able to get money at above what was projected and that they were looking at a cost closer to what they would be more comfortable with. He highlighted the fact that the developers who will own the highway for 35 years had invested their own funds in the project and they were expected to recoup this from through toll charges.

Continuing, Mr Reid commented, “ the government had pledged to contribute US87M…US$72M has already been contributed.” He told persons on the tour that the remaining $15M was for the next phase (1B) whether it would be from Sandy Bay in Clarendon to Williamsfield in Manchester or Bushy Park in St. Catherine to Ocho Rios in St. Ann. He noted that they (the government) are looking at a situation where a deal can be struck with TransJamaican Highway in which the government does not have to lend any more money. “ So there is no need for the government to seek additional financing…the government may be seeking funds to re-finance the project, which is completely different from seeking additional funds”, Mr. Reid said.

Minister Pickersgill added that there was still uncertainty as to which leg of the highway will be done next since the Bushy Park to Ocho Rios leg was also being considered. He made known the fact that NROCC have done further studies to look at going to Ocho Rios. He said, “ A review of costs involved with that leg is being done and those costs are looking attractive now, so it is a matter of dealing with the concession agreement, getting the finances in order and if all those things can be achieved, the next phase could be very well be to Ocho Rios.”