Ground was broken on Friday, April 8, 2011 for the construction of Segment 1B1 of Highway 2000 which covers the area from Sandy Bay to just beyond May Pen, setting the stage for it to gradually extended to Four Paths and on to Williamsfield in Manchester.
Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Bruce Golding urged local investors to take advantage of opportunities on the south coast corridor as government continues to support the expansion of the Toll Road, Highway 2000. Noting that the government was pursuing a low interest rate policy, Mr. Golding said local venture capital must be put to work.
“If we are to achieve the goals set out in Vision 2030, whatever it is that has been imprisoning local investment and intimidating local investment, well those will have to be removed,” the PM said.
Continuing, Mr. Golding highlighted initiatives that were supporting commercial activities such as the move away from oil dependence to cheaper liquid natural gas; the downward trend in the incidence of violent crime; and the successful reduction in government’s Highway 2000 debt repayment interest rate.
And speaking at the same ceremony, Transport and Works Minister said that he was ‘thrilled for Clarendon to be again benefitting from a major development.” He said that the Highway 2000 would ultimately complement other developments like Vernamfield and other socially engineered initiatives such as the Herb McKenley Stadium that was being constructed in May Pen.
“Over time, the parish and the wider south central area will benefit significantly from the expansion of the highway network. From vastly improved mobility to improved connectivity between population and economic centres, the prospects are indeed very appealing,” Minister Henry explained.
The Minister said that the pending highway expansion will facilitate the intended connection between the highway and the Vernamfield Development, making way for the smooth and seamless integration of the various modes of transportation, that is via road, rail, sea and air.
The new Segment 1B1 is expected to be opened by September 2012.