In a landmark infrastructure announcement, the Jamaican Government has revealed an ambitious plan to construct a continuous highway network encircling the entire island. This transformative project, designed to address critical transport vulnerabilities exposed by recent natural disasters, represents one of the most significant infrastructure initiatives in Jamaica’s modern history.
Robert Morgan, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, detailed the comprehensive strategy during a recent Jamaica Observer Press Club event. The proposed highway system will extend from Williamsfield in Manchester to connect with Montego Bay’s perimeter road, creating seamless transportation corridors through St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, and St. James parishes.
The initiative emerges as a direct response to the systemic weaknesses revealed when Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck the island on October 28. While newer highways demonstrated structural resilience during the extreme weather event, the lack of interconnected routes severely hampered emergency response efforts and recovery operations across affected regions.
Minister Morgan emphasized that true infrastructure resilience extends beyond road durability to encompass comprehensive network connectivity. “We have constructed highways, but they remain non-contiguous,” Morgan explained, highlighting the problematic gaps between existing transportation arteries including the south coast and north coast highways.
The government’s strategic vision involves creating what Morgan describes as a “contiguous ring around the island” through carefully planned linkages between existing routes and new bypass constructions. Key components include determining optimal alignments from Black River to Savanna-la-Mar, alongside planned bypasses for Lucea, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, and Mammee Bay.
Several project elements are already advancing, including a memorandum of understanding with China Harbour Engineering Company for the Mammee Bay bypass, commenced work on the Port Antonio bypass, and ongoing studies for the Spur Tree bypass. Preliminary planning has also initiated for the Lucea bypass.
While the complete financial scope remains undetermined, the highway network will constitute a cornerstone of Jamaica’s broader reconstruction and resilience strategy. The government will collaborate with multiple agencies including the National Works Agency, National Road Operating and Constructing Company, and the newly established National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority.
Addressing capacity concerns, Minister Morgan expressed confidence that market forces would respond to clearly articulated long-term infrastructure needs. He specifically encouraged local contractors to position themselves for participation, noting their unique understanding of Jamaican topography, geology, and hydrology while emphasizing the importance of professional standards and effective execution.