Work on replacing the Troy bridge, which collapsed just over two years ago creating great inconvenience to thousands of Jamaicans from communities in Manchester, St Elizabeth, and Trelawny, will begin early in the first quarter of the coming financial year, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced on Thursday.

“The bridge represents critical infrastructure for the residents and there is unanimity that the bridge must be replaced,” Holness said in his 2024/25 budget presentation in Parliament.

He said the “tortuous and lengthy process” to repair the bridge makes the case for an urgent review and reform of the procurement process which, due to “a complex web of laws, regulations, policies, circulars and guideline can slow down, if not paralyse, the Government”.

He said that there have been numerous calls from Members of Parliament on both sides of the House, from the private sector, from boards and management of ministries, departments and agencies, to reform the process.

Noting that the finance minister already outlined some changes to the procurement process, Holness said “streamlining of the existing public investment appraisal process to increase speed and efficiency while preserving accountability and probity will also be necessary”.

After the Troy bridge collapsed in August 2021 the Jamaica Observer broke the story that schoolchildren and other residents were using makeshift methods, including a fallen tree and a zipline comprising a rope and bucket, to cross the river running under the bridge. The risky makeshift footbridge connects residents in the neighbouring communities of Cowick Park in north-western Manchester to Troy in southern Trelawny.

Residents have also had to use a 15-mile alternative commute for safety.

Follow-up stories by the Observer over the two years resulted in bickering between political rivals about the lag in having the bridge, which was built in 1869, replaced.

On Thursday, Holness said that, under the current Public Investment Management Guidelines, the project is required to go through the full public investment appraisal process.

“This is even before we get to procurement. This has resulted in significant delays in implementation. However, today I can finally announce that a contract has been awarded and work will begin early in the first quarter of the coming financial year,” he said to loud applause and the banging of desks by legislators.