Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter

Chief Executive Officer of the National Works Agency E.G. Hunter says work on the Queensborough Bridge in St Andrew will resume today following a dispute between the contractors.

The disagreement between China Harbour Engineering Company and its sub-contractor Y.P. Seaton and Associates had resulted in the halting of work on the multi-million dollar project for nearly two weeks.

Yesterday, Hunter told members of the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee that the NWA had intervened in the standoff and brokered a continuation formula.

He said work on the Queenborough bridge was set for completion before Independence but has now been rescheduled for opening in September this year.

The NWA CEO also informed the committee that the Cassia Park Bridge in St Andrew would be completed and reopened in time for the start of the new academic year in September.

Committee members were also told that Hunter’s agency had been negotiating a reduction in the original price to construct the Westmoreland Bridge in St Mary.

Hunter was tightlipped on the details of the cost reduction but pointed out that senior director for the NWA, Earl Patterson had negotiated a cut in the price tag.

He divulged that as soon as the agency’s lawyers complete their review of the arrangement, the NWA would make the matter public.

To date, a total of 76 projects have been completed under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme.

The massive infrastructure programme is funded by a loan from the China Ex-Im Bank.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com