$1.5 billion approved for pothole repairs across Jamaica

Motorists across Jamaica will soon see relief as the Cabinet has approved an additional $1.5 billion to address the island's persistent pothole problem. This funding is specifically for patching and sheeting work on main roads, bringing the total allocated for pothole repairs in the current fiscal year to $3.1 billion.

Robert Morgan, the minister with responsibility for works, stated that the additional allocation was necessary due to the extensive scope of the issue. He explained that the initial $1.6 billion program for patching and sheeting is already underway. The new $1.5 billion will be spent before the end of the year on further road rehabilitation efforts.

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We are engaged in a $1.6-billion programme patching the roads. It’s really sheeting in many cases. Cabinet just approved another $1.5 billion to do more roads. We are doing the $1.6 billion now and then, before the end of the year, we are going to spend another $1.5 billion on road rehabilitation.

However, Morgan clarified that his ministry, through the National Works Agency, is solely responsible for main roads such as Washington Boulevard, Constant Spring Road, and Barbican Road. He emphasized that the ministry does not maintain community roads, avenues, lanes, or crescents, leaving those to local authorities or residents.

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Not all the roads are mine. I am strictly responsible for main roads; I am not responsible for avenues, lanes, and I am not responsible for crescents. I am not responsible for any of those community roads. None at all. My roads are roads like Washington Boulevard, Constant Spring and Barbican Road.