JHTA Montego Bay Chapter urges contractors to speed up Rose Hall roadworks

ST JAMES, Jamaica — First Vice-President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Kerry Ann Quallo Casserly, is calling for more work to be carried out at night to help ease traffic congestion along the Rose Hall main road. "More work needs to be done during the night periods to accelerate the progress," Quallo Casserly told Observer Online. During peak periods, traffic lines stretch for several kilometres in either direction, from Ironshore in the west to Rose Hall in the east, as ongoing pipe-laying works restrict sections of the roadway to a single lane. "We also need increased policing during peak hours because I have noticed the lawlessness which compounds the situation," she said. Undisciplined drivers have also been blamed for the lengthy traffic queues, as some motorists attempt to bypass the lines, causing further delays. Work along the corridor began in July, with contractors Vinci Construction undertaking pipe-laying works as part of the Western Water Resilience Project. According to the Government, the US$425-million initiative is designed to modernise ageing water systems and reduce water losses.

While welcoming the development, Quallo Casserly said the challenges caused by the ongoing works were mounting. "We welcome the long overdue upgrades to our infrastructure; however, there is severe gridlock causing major disruptions for local residents," she remarked. "Our departing visitors are risking missed flights; those arriving are experiencing an unpleasant welcome and first impression which affects the overall customer experience," she added. In the interim, she said the JHTA would do its best to assist visitors arriving on the island. "The JHTA will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders and recommend that DMCs (destination management companies), tour/ transportation companies and all advise clients accordingly," she remarked.