THE SIGNING of a contract worth J$1.2 billion between the Government of Jam-aica and Consolidated Contractors Company of Kuwait yesterday cleared the way for construction work on the Old Harbour bypass in St. Catherine to get under way within the next 45 days.

Minister of Transport and Works, Dr. Peter Phillips, who spoke at yesterday's signing between the Government and representatives of the Kuwaiti firm said the bypass would become Jamaica's first toll road.

The project is being funded by the Government of Jamaica and there's additional funding from the Kuwaiti Fund, Dr. Phillips explained. He added that the project management, engineering, land acquisition and resettlement costs associated with the project amounted to J$600 million.

The work is expected to last two years from the start up date which should be some time next month. The Transport and Works Minister said the identification, valuation and purchasing of all parcels of land needed to facilitate the construction of the road have already been done, as well as re-design work done by the Ministry's technical personnel. The re-design had become necessary as the residential status of the area had changed over the years.

Additional lanes

Dr. Phillips noted that although only two lanes will be constructed, lands have been reserved for an additional two lanes to be built in the future.

The detailed work under the project will include building approximately 14.5 km of a new arterial road to international standards; a wearing surface of asphalt concrete, 50 mm thick, supported by standard marl base; and the construction of nine bridges and structures spanning waterways, railway lines and major roads. Additionally, the design will include over 60 other structures to ensure proper drainage of water from the road and there will be no level crossing on the highway.

Level crossings have in the past rendered bypass roads less effective as the through-flow of traffic is impeded. Some that readily come to mind are the Spanish Town, May Pen and Mandeville bypass roads which were constructed in the 1970s.

On completion, it is expected that the Old Harbour bypass will ease the traffic congestion that has become a daily feature in the town of Old Harbour and its evirons.

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who also spoke at the signing, said the construction of the Old Harbour bypass was just one of a number of major improvement projects planned for the island's road network. He expressed hope that the work would be completed on time and said the contract signing at Jamaica House was testimony of the importance the Government attached to the project. He also disclosed that the Melrose Hill bypass is to be opened next month.