The government broke ground for the Port Antonio Bypass project in Portland, marking the start of a new era of mobility, opportunity, and resilience for the parish. As a result, the project will reduce travel time, improve safety, and stimulate economic growth in the region..
1. Port Antonio Bypass Project: Overview and Phase One Details
The project, which will be executed in two phases, entails the construction of an 18-kilometre corridor designed to divert traffic from the congested, coastal town centre, thereby reducing travel time and transportation costs.
Phase one will span Norwich to Turtle Crawl Harbour, comprising a seven-kilometre stretch of four-lane roadway with safety-enhancing median barriers, newly constructed bridges, upgraded drainage infrastructure, and designated bus shelters.
2. Economic and Safety Benefits of the Port Antonio Bypass Project
“During the ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness highlighted the project’s impact. For more details, visit https://www.jis.gov.jm.”
“The breaking of barriers that have long held back the full economic potential of this beautiful parish and people.”
He emphasized that the Bypass represents an investment in Portland’s growth and tourism potential. It will also attract capital, create jobs, and build wealth for its citizens.
Prime Minister Holness added that Port Antonio, a low-lying town frequently affected by weather events, will benefit greatly from relocating the roadway inland. This move will protect residents’ mobility, assets, land, and businesses.
3. Unlocking Growth, Development, and Commercial Opportunities
“For decades, Port Antonio has been one of Jamaica’s hidden gems, blessed with natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. However, limited access and inadequate infrastructure have held it back. The current route through the town centre, while scenic, worsens traffic congestion. It is vulnerable to flooding and coastal erosion and cannot support the scale of development we envision,” he stated.
Dr. Holness said the Bypass will unlock new commercial zones, stimulate land development, and create space for expansion. It will also preserve Port Antonio’s identity as a quiet coastal retreat with a thriving economic hub.
The government will allocate an additional $521 million for land acquisition. Phase one will acquire more than 200 parcels. The National Land Agency (NLA) has already started the process.
4. Part of Broader Infrastructure and Economic Strategy
“This is development that will connect the coast to the countryside, the farms to the resorts and the world to Portland,” the Prime Minister added.
Dr. Holness further noted that the project forms part of a broader strategy to stimulate Portland’s economic growth, which includes developments such as the construction of the Boundbrook Urban Centre in Port Antonio.
The Port Antonio Bypass project is also a continuation of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) – Jamaica’s largest infrastructure development extending its transformative impact across the eastern corridor.
CONTACT: MICKELLA ANDERSON-GORDON
JIS REGIONAL OFFICE
MORANT BAY
