Melrose Hill Bypass Project

This project involved the construction of the re-aligned Melrose Hill Road and was first explored in November 1996, when the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) solicited Alcan Jamaica Company’s assistance on behalf of the then Ministry of Local Government and Works, in implementation of the Project. 

 The total length of the re-aligned road is 6.43km commencing at the Williamsfield end of the Winston Jones Highway traversing along the already existing alignment of Hope-Melrose Bauxite Haul Road and exiting at Trinity-Wells on the Highway which links Porus to Williamsfield.  The physical initiation of the works commenced in June 1998.  Alcan Jamaica Company was responsible for work in this segment, this to the tune of US$1.3million.

Bridge Underpass

An Armco Superspan Bridge was installed to facilitate grade separation of the bypass from the existing Alcan Jamaica Company Haul Road.  The works which were carried out by Alcan Jamaica Ltd was financed by the Ministry of Transport and Works at a cost of US$0.56M.

Alcan Jamaica Ltd also carried out works associated with the Porus end of the project, at an estimated cost of US$1.5M.

Earthworks for the section between Porus and Williamsfield were executed by the Ministry of Transport and Works “HUB” Road Unit.  Alcan Jamaica Company assisted with heavy equipment when required. Estimated cost for this section of the work was US$1M.

The Ministry of Transport and Works “HUB” Road Unit had the ultimate responsibility for completing the entire project that included the following activities:

• Land Acquisition

• Drainage

• Pavement

• Rubble Masonry

• Roast Yam Park

The Melrose Hill Road is expected to reduce the congestion normally experienced by the traveling public on the old road, due to the number of heavy units that travel this route to and from Kingston daily.

There was an extremely high level of collaboration between the Alcan Team of engineers, equipment operators and supervisors and the Ministry of Transport and Works. The total cost of the project was J$240M and there was no over-run.The project was completed in December 1999 as scheduled.