AS motorists across the island continue to face gaping potholes, minister with responsibility for works Robert Morgan has told the Jamaica Observer that the Cabinet on Monday approved a further $1.5-billion spend for patching and sheeting work on main roads across the island to bring some well-needed relief to drivers. This brings the money allocated to tackle the persistent pothole problem to $3.1 billion for this fiscal year. This eyesore on Orange Street in dowtown Kingston is not only a pothole, but an impediment to traffic in possibly the busiest part of Kingston.
This spot is located very close to the intersection with Heywood Street, near to the traffic light. According to Morgan, the additional allocation was necessary based on the scope of the problem. He told the Observer that the money initially allocated for the pothole patching programme is already being spent.
“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,” said Morgan. These potholes on Constant Spring Grove in St Andrew are among many which force motorists to drive on the wrong side of the road. (Photo: Garfield Robinson) But even as the minister promised relief, motorists across the Corporate Area were pointing the Observer to several roads where potholes are making driving almost impossible.
In downtown Kingston, where many large potholes pockmark the streets, motorists pointed to one on Orange Street, close to its intersection with Heywood Street, which they said is a source of frustration for many. Motorists take great care to avoid this pothole on Elizabeth Avenue in St Andrew. While an Observer news team was in the area on Thursday, motorists and pedestrians urged the team to take as many pictures and videos as possible to expose the failure of authorities to maintain roads.
In response, Morgan said that area could be fixed as early as next week as it is schduled for priority repairs. Fairdene Avenue in Ackee Walk, St Andrew, has been in a very deporable state for a long time, according to residents. He underscored that his ministry is responsible for fixing main roads through the National Works Agency, and not streets or lanes.
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