Warrens Project moving ahead

IT will cost Government in the region of $17 million to acquire several parcels of land needed to complete the Warrens Traffic Safety Improvement Project.

That’s according to Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Lashley, who told the House of Assembly yesterday morning that the project, which was granted a one year extension on the original finish date, is in fact approximately 24 months behind schedule.

His comments came yesterday as he piloted the debate on a resolution to compulsorily acquire that required land.

Lashley further told the Lower House that the Ministry of Housing and Lands has started the process to compulsorily acquire the various pieces of land. He made the point while noting that the project, estimated to cost $44 million in total, is about 80 per cent complete, with work remaining to be done on Green Hill, St. Michael and along Redman’s Village to Bagatelle, St. Thomas.

According to Minister Lashley, the project, which was conceptualised in 2010, is designed to upgrade footpaths on Highway 2; construct a roundabout at the junction of the Warrens Industrial Estate; establish a rotary system at the Manor Lodge/ PriceSmart intersection; widen Highway 2 at the turn off to Eden Lodge and construct bus lay-bys in the area of SMJ Beverages factory.

The Minister, giving an update on the work, indicated that the footpath from Jackson to the Warrens Industrial Park and the roundabout at the Warrens Industrial Park are both finished.

“We have to now look at the widening of Highway 2 that is in Eden Lodge. We have to look at that; that has not started. The construction of bus lay-bys, 75 per cent completed; link road to Warrens Towers is finished; link road to Simpson Motors is finished; the roundabout at Padmore Village/Welches 90 per cent finished; sidewalks and footpaths have been completed and the four-lane highway from the D’Arcy Scott Roundabout to Redman’s Village, 95 per cent completed,” he said.

The Transport and Works Minister added that no work has started yet on the proposed pedestrian underpass at Warrens. Before proceeding, he said his Ministry will have consultations on the matter. (JRT)