Local engineers express concerns over H2K

INTERNATIONAL experts in the construction and management of some of the world's major highways have acknowledged the importance of Highway 2000 as a model for national development, economic growth and job creation.

At the same time, local experts in a number of areas including engineering and the environment have criticised the ambitious multi-billion dollar toll road project as being either unnecessary or requiring modification.

The issues were raised at a forum organised by the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs to examine the development, technical and engineering aspects, the environmental and social impact, as well as the economic viability of Highway 2000. The seminar was held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston on Saturday, under the theme "Highway 2000, what does it mean for Jamaica?"

Among the presenters was Wim Westerhuis, a representative of the International Road Federation (IRF), who said, for instance, that the Turkish economy grew by a factor of eight in the years after it developed its motorways. Mr. Westerhuis said the planners of Highway 2000 had followed the guidelines the IRF has developed over the years, but cautioned that the toll-roads should be cost-effective or else motorists who would be expected to use it would remain on the untolled roads when the project has been completed.

Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Juan Benavides, said Highway 2000 was well-designed. And according to Mahdan Bin Ahmad of the Malaysian Highway Authority, "the team of Highway 2000 has done a wonderful job so far."

According to Mr. Bin Ahmad, a good transportation infrastructure is a critical requirement for industrialisation, a situation experienced by Malaysia where economic growth averaging nine per cent from 1988 to 1996 coincided with the development of highway construction.

Highway 2000 co-ordinator Kingsley Thomas said the project was being developed as a catalyst to economic growth and job creation against the background of a contraction of four per cent in the Jamaican economy in the past four years, and the fact that it has remained flat in the last 10 years.

Analysis provided by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), he said, suggests that in order for Jamaica's development to be sustainable, "we need a minimum annual growth of 6.5 per cent." Expressing optimism that the objectives of the highway could be achieved, Mr. Thomas pointed out that Jamaica is known to have the second highest road density in the world, that the economy relies heavily on road transport and therefore, an expressway would stimulate agricultural and other economic activities to generate the kind of growth anticipated.

COGNISANT OF FURORE

Consultant engineer to Highway 2000, Dr. Wayne Reid, in explaining some of the issues examined in coming up with a blue print for the project, said they were cognisant of the furore that could arise if the contractors were to indicate that they would be importing materials for construction. As a result, a study was conducted on the availability of materials in Jamaica that could be used in the construction and full disclosure was made to the bidders.

Dr. Reid said the Government has not yet signed a contract with French firm Bouygues which has been selected to construct and maintain the first phase of Highway 2000. However, he said they were negotiating a concession agreement after which the contract will be signed.

Responding to a question as to whether taxpayers would be asked to pick up the tab if Bouygues withdraws from what will be a 35-year concession agreement to build, own, operate and then transfer the highway to the Jamaican Government, and if it will be a saleable commodity, Dr. Reid said:

"If the concessionaire withdraws from the contract, yes, we can sell that road to another concessionaire."

Engineer John Algrove, speaking on behalf of the Jamaica Institute of Engineers (JIE), said that while they support the phasing of the project, they believe that the second phase, to link Mandeville with Montego Bay, should be constructed later when the traffic creates the need for such an addition. He said that would reduce the project cost by about US$294 million at this time.

Mr. Algrove also said the JIE was proposing that the section from Four Paths to Mandeville be deferred for about 10 years. In addition, he said, they were proposing the construction of a two-lane carriageway from Innswood to Ocho Rios, with dualisation in about 20 years time.

He said the JIE believed that with those and other modifications, in the interim the traffic between Montego Bay and Kingston should be accommodated on the Spanish Town to Ocho Rios route and the already funded North Coast Highway.

Dr. Reid said some of the alternatives had already been considered, but they would be further examining some of the proposals made by the JIE and other technical experts.

President of the Jamaica Institute of Architects, Clifton Yap, while noting the potential benefits of Highway 2000, said the toll roads may not be necessary or desirable as designed.

"It will require massive commitment of public resources, and may not achieve the Government's stated goals and objectives," Mr. Yap said, asking whether the country could afford the potential damage to the social, economic and environmental conditions.

Mr. Yap, who criticised the planners for keeping the project a secret in the initial stages, asked whether they should continue to be denied the right to participate in and be a part of the decision-making process.

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