Construction workers doing remedial work to the railing of the Courtney Bridge in Harmony Hall, St. Mary. - PHOTOS BY IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
FROM HIGHGATE to Port Maria, at Courtney Bridge in Harmony Hall, one side of the road was washed away by a landslide which, according to residents, occurred almost three years ago.
The bridge railing was just being repaired. The roadwork is yet to be done. The busy thoroughfare has painstakingly been reduced to single-lane traffic.
WHAT'S THE STATUS?
MAYOR BOBBY Montague said that the Government has allocated $17 million to his council this year to fix 1,986 miles of parochial roads.
He laments that this sum is woefully inadequate, especially considering the state of the roads. Efforts to contact Robert Francis proved equally as difficult as the trek through St. Mary.
However, Winston Wiggan, assistant parish manager, told The Gleaner that the NWA, in tandem with the contractors of the North Coast Highway, is currently on a patching campaign.
He said responsibility for the Whitehall Road has been transferred to the North Coast Highway contractors who are trying to ascertain what caused the damage before they proceed with reconstruction. Until then, the road has been closed off and a bypass made available.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?
ST. MARY Parish Council and National Works Agency (NWA). The parochial roads that are controlled by the parish council are in a pitiable state.
Meanwhile, the major thoroughfares that fall within the purview of the NWA are just as deplorable. Mayor Montague heads the parish council, while Robert Francis is the parish manager for NWA in St. Mary.
CONCLUSION
TRAVELLING THROUGH St. Mary is a treacherous task taken at one's own peril. The greenery and beautiful bananas are an attraction but the bad roads are a distraction and a nuisance. And, what makes it even more menacing is that the half has not been told.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Tell us about problems in your community. We will visit and help to lobby for action. Write to: Tyrone Reid, the Gleaner Company Ltd., 7 North Street, P.O. Box 40, Kingston; Fax: 922-6223, Telephone: 922-3400 Ext. 6364 or Email: tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com.
