POOR-quality material used on a section of the road between Yallahs Ponds and Pamphret, St Thomas, has led to deterioration of the approximately 1.6-kilometre stretch of roadway, and the area is to be repaired by the contractors.

The work will result in traffic changes, the National Works Agency (NWA) reported Saturday.

“Sections of the roughly 1.6 kilometers stretch have in recent weeks deteriorated and was exacerbated by rains associated with Hurricane Beryl. Following on the instructions of minister without portfolio for works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Robert Morgan, work has commenced to repair,” the NWA said.

Morgan toured the affected sections of the corridor on Friday and was apprised of the underlying cause of the deterioration, the NWA said. “Based on technical assessments done, it was determined that poor material quality was the source of the problem.”

The section of road forms part of package two of the Southern Coastal Highway Project.

“Minister Morgan has instructed that the bad material be removed and the road be repaired at no cost to the Government. The matter is being treated as a defect under the contract for the works, which contractors China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) are mandated to fix,” the NWA said.

“CHEC today started its mobilisation to address the matter. Works will be done over the next three weeks. Motorists are being advised to expect some delays in using the corridor from Salt Pond to Pamphret. The road at times will be reduced to single-lane usage, and motorists are being urged to reduce speed, obey posted warning signs, and the instructions of flag persons.”