The National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC) is responding to claims made in a story headlined ‘Highway headache’, published on Monday, May 30, 2022.

We believe that once all the facts are presented, readers will have a full appreciation for the quality of the work that is being done, the challenges that are being faced, and the efforts of the project team to mitigate the effects of the ongoing construction on communities.

Work on Phase 1C of the highway, which is being executed under the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) from May Pen to Williamsfield, is now 73 per cent complete. Much of the highway alignment passes through greenfield areas, where the land is largely undeveloped throughout the countryside. However, the alignment also intersects with some brownfield areas, which are characterised by previous development. Although it is understood that development in brownfield areas will cause temporary inconveniences, the project team endeavours to minimise the effects on residents.

DUST SCREENS MYSTERIOUSLY GO MISSING

Measures have been implemented to control dust and maintain the air quality within the allowable limits. Air quality monitoring stations are strategically placed along the construction site and data routinely provided to the regulatory agencies.

There are eight water trucks that wet the roadway on a regular basis. People would also notice the green dust screens that are installed in the vicinity of the construction site. Additionally, about 65 per cent of the installation of the first asphaltic layer is in place. The project team is working expeditiously on the installation of asphalt to suppress and eliminate dust.

Although the project has been progressing rapidly, it hasn’t all been an easy street. Dust screens, fencing, and other construction material have repeatedly gone missing from the construction site. The matter has been brought to the attention of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Unfortunately, the mysterious disappearance of dust screens has contributed to the discomfort that residents experience. Nevertheless, the project team continues to replace them as quickly as possible.

HISTORIC FLOODING ACROSS CLARENDON PLAINS

The project alignment runs across the Clarendon plains, which has experienced flooding events in the past. NROCC engaged the stakeholders in the communities along the alignment to get the best understanding of the characteristics of flooding along the corridor and to so inform the design team and contractor. The knowledge provided all pointed to the presence of significant historic flooding along the corridor. The information that was garnered from the community meetings and meetings with the political representatives proved to be quite valuable and was thus incorporated into the technical drainage design.

The May 30, 2022 Jamaica Observer article relayed concerns from individuals, not connected to the project or the community, about a drain in the St Toolies area. Work is currently in progress on the drainage features in the St Toolies area. The observation made was of drainage systems which the contractor is still constructing. Hence, the conclusions drawn in the article are premature and incorrect.

The contractor is working earnestly to complete the construction of the drainage features.

CONSIDERATION FOR THE RESIDENTS IS PARAMOUNT

The highway alignment traverses very hilly terrain, especially between St Toolies and Williamsfield in Manchester. In order to achieve an acceptable roadway gradient, grading of the hillside must be done. While the embankment of the roadway is being established, the area is closely monitored by the contractor and other safety measures are being implemented.

Where excess rubble is generated, the contractor is required to remove it quickly. Temporary detours, though inconvenient, are also sometimes necessary to maintain the safety of the residents.

The project team has gone to great lengths to ensure that safety standards are adhered to, and residents experience as little discomfort as possible. Consideration for the residents remains paramount. In fact, the record will show that, in some instances, the project team has gone as far as temporarily relocating residents when blasting is required. It is important to note that since the highway construction works started no major accident has occurred.

CONSTANT DIALOGUE IS MAINTAINED WITH COMMUNITIES ALONG THE ALIGNMENT

Members of the project team are regularly present and communicate with residents in the vicinity of the construction site. However, adherence to the Government of Jamaica’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols presented a challenge for some time with the hosting of face-to-face meetings with community members. Access to Internet in the rural areas also proved inadequate to facilitate online meetings. In spite of these challenges, communication was maintained through meetings with major stakeholders to include the elected political representatives, the Jamaica Constabulary Force and relevant municipal corporations.

NROCC wants to hear all concerns that are related to projects that it is undertaking and takes all complaints seriously. The agency continues to encourage the public to bring any concerns that may arise to our attention or to the attention of the contractor. Complaints can be made by telephone calls to the office, in writing, or by e-mail to complaints@h2kjamaica.com.jm. All complaints received are logged and addressed. At present, records show that 90 per cent of complaints have been resolved, up from 70 per cent in 2021.

NROCC craves the public’s understanding and support while we work assiduously to complete this much-needed highway project.

Stephen RP Edwards is the managing director of the National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited.