Three Miles construction moving at a fast pace - Holness
Published:Friday | November 23, 2018 | 12:00 AMSyranno Baines/Gleaner Writer
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of the overpass bridge construction work in Three Miles/Portia Simpson Miller Square, St Andrew, indicating that the project may beat the June 2019 deadline based on the rate at which China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is progressing.
Speaking to journalists yesterday shortly after touring the over US$56 million development, Holness noted that the pillars had been erected and a section of a ramp was under construction.
"All that is left now is to complete the ramp, lay the beams, and then put the surface on. Generally, I am satisfied that CHEC is moving very quickly to have the work done and that the quality of work is up to the highest standards possible," said Holness. "We can't make this level of investment without ensuring that there is quality for money."
The prime minister further disclosed that additional funding would be provided for drainage along the Three Miles bypass.
Having also toured the new US$1 million diversion, which is being constructed to help ease traffic congestion in the Corporate Area amid the closure of the Three Miles intersection, Holness stated that the bypass was about 90 per cent complete.
The two-lane 1.5-kilometre roadway, which is part of the Government's overall road-development and traffic-management programme, will link Chesterfield Drive, off Spanish Town Road, to Marcus Garvey Drive.
SECURITY PRESENCE
"We're conscious that in the era of climate change, whatever infrastructure we put up must be resilient. It must be able to withstand the unpredictable and variable weather," the prime minister said. "So for the bypass road that we have almost completed, additional provisions will be made for drainage and to protect the road because that road was almost at sea level, and several drains run in that direction."
Noting that the road was in an isolated area, Holness gave the assurance that there would be a security presence.
"The road will be facilitated with street lights. There will be a soft shoulder, and there are sidewalks in place, but you definitely will have to have a security presence. So it will be part of the patrol schedule of the Hunts Bay Police, and it will, probably, in the initial stages, have to be manned by the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch," he added.