Fern Gully closure delayed

THE NATIONAL Works Agency (NWA) says plan to close Fern Gully main road in St Ann has been delayed.

The corridor will now be closed on Monday, April 4, 2011, for nine months. NWA said the delay was necessary to undertake additional improvement works along the alternative routes and install the relevant detour signs.

The closure is to facilitate a $500-million repair project, which is part of the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP). As a result of this closure, operators of large buses wishing to travel to or from the town of Ocho Rios from the direction of Moneague are being advised to use the alternative route through Chalky Hill. Drivers of small vehicles, such as cars and SUVs can use the Breadnut Hill parochial road at Colegate, just outside the entrance to Fern Gully.

Flood mitigation

The works that are to be undertaken in the Fern Gully is a continuation of the NWA's effort at mitigating flooding in the town of Ocho Rios and reduce the impact of flood waters on the road surface.

Manager for communication and customer services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw, said the work to be undertaken will be done in two phases. Phase one will involve the construction of a rigid pavement (concrete road) along a 1.6-kilometre section of the roadway, between the entrance to the gully and Hinds Gully.

Phase two of the project will see major drainage improvement works being undertaken. Plans are to construct a concrete "U" drain along with five box culverts along a 1.4-kilometre section located between Harrison Town and Milford Road.

Phases two and three of the project will complement work which was completed in 2010, when approximately six kilometres of roadway from Colegate to Hinds Gully was repaved and drains reopened.

Motorists are advised to obey the posted warning signs and the instructions of flag persons.