Land slippage work on highway to be completed by February
WORK TO correct land slippage along a section of the north-south link of Highway 2000 should be completed by mid-February.
During a tour of the highway on January 19, Senior Toll Road Inspector Delon Wauchope said that over a period of time, rainwater has been building up behind the bedrock, which had no proper drainage. This resulted in the saturated bedrock breaking away.
To alleviate the problem, the developer, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), has initiated the terracing of the slopes and has instituted a proper drainage system.
Toll Authority Chief Executive Officer Joan Fletcher indicated that CHEC is earnestly carrying out the repairs.
She said the completion of the project could be delayed should there be any shift in the weather.
Last May, the toll operators closed a section of the highway to facilitate cleanup following a massive landslide which occurred in the vicinity of the 33-kilometre mark of the roadway. Work has continued to reinforce the protective walls to prevent a recurrence.
Meanwhile, regarding the rest stops located on the highway, Fletcher said the Jamaica North South Highway Company (JNSHC), which operates the highway, has been in dialogue with persons wishing to occupy the facilities.
“That is not going as quickly as they (JNSHC) would have liked. Some of the persons who should have taken it over are a little slow on the draw. We are hoping that this will be sped up so they will actually take up the shops, as it was indicated that they had wanted to,” she said.