Fifty-Five Bridges Slated for Rebuild Under Jamaica Accelerated Bridge Programme

The Black River Bridge in St. Elizabeth, which took a hit from Hurricane Melissa, is one of 55 crossings set for construction or full replacement under the Government's Accelerated Bridge Programme.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Morgan, said the structure will be rebuilt through the scheme, which is meant to harden Jamaica's transport network against storms that are growing more frequent and more severe.

Addressing the House of Representatives during his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate on Wednesday, June 17, Mr. Morgan stressed that the programme is not only about patching up storm damage. He said the wider aim is to put lasting resilience at the centre of how bridges are planned and built.

He noted that more than 20 of the bridges in the pipeline will go up in western Jamaica, in parishes that felt the force of Hurricane Melissa.

According to the Minister, the new and rebuilt crossings will be designed to cope with heavier flooding, stronger water flows, and changing rainfall patterns, so that communities are less likely to be cut off when disaster strikes.

"Hurricane Melissa reminded us that weak links in the road network can quickly become points of isolation. This is why bridge resilience is road resilience," Mr. Morgan said.

He told the House that the Accelerated Bridge Programme has already cleared the Investment Secretariat and is now before Cabinet for final sign-off ahead of contract awards.

"The updated technical offer has already been submitted and we are now in negotiations with our international partners for final approval in the coming weeks," he added.

Mr. Morgan said work on the initiative is moving ahead on both the technical and financing fronts, with detailed design plus environmental, social, and geotechnical studies in progress to make sure each bridge meets the required standard.

He also pointed to recent gains under the Government's wider bridge improvement work, including the June 5 opening of the Troy Bridge, which links communities in Manchester and Trelawny, and the June 12 opening of the Spring Village Bridge in St. Catherine.

Construction continues on the Craig Mill Bridge in Portland, he said, while a number of other structures are being fixed under the Recurrent Expenditure Programme.

Mr. Morgan further reported that several gully programmes are now under way, among them works in the Torrington Bridge area and at other gullies in St. Andrew, with more projects to be named in the months ahead.