Clean-up phase of REACH programme over 80% complete – Morgan

The first phase of the REACH Road Rehab Programme which focuses on clean-up activities, is 82 per cent complete.

The update was provided by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for works, Robert Morgan, at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday.

Announced in September, the $3 billion REACH programme was designed to address critical road infrastructure needs across the island, with a specific focus on the damage caused by weather events, including Hurricane Beryl in July, as well as the execution of routine road maintenance.

All 63 constituencies are to see funds allocated to conduct essential road repairs and maintenance.

Morgan said the clean-up phase is valued at $1.5 billion, and is to be conducted by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and the National Works Agency (NWA).

"It (REACH) is about 82 per cent complete in terms of the clean-up aspect of it. We would have focused on vector control, particularly in areas of Portmore where you have a lot of earth drains... to reduce the mosquito population," Morgan informed.

He said the second phase of the REACH programme is ongoing, and is focused on the road rehabilitation aspect of the overall initiative.

"But due to consistent rains, we were not able to escalate the patching," Morgan said, adding that tons of asphalt became useless due to rain.

He elaborated that, "You cannot put down cold asphalt, so we had to make decisions during the period to pause the patching."

However, Morgan said the patching aspect of REACH programme will continue until March of next year.

"I know that there are members of the public, justifiably so, who were a bit concerned about the patching not moving as fast as they would like it to, but we have to ensure that it is done properly so that the patched road does not get destroyed too quickly," the minister stated.