ST JAMES, Jamaica — The National Works Agency (NWA) has announced that it will be closing the northbound carriageway of the Howard Cooke Bridge, in the vicinity of Harmony Beach Park in St James, effective August 17, 2022.

This section of the roadway will remain closed for six weeks, as the NWA works to repair the bridge.

The closure will primarily affect road users who are exiting the city centre, by way of Howard Cooke Boulevard. The public is advised to expect delays especially during peak hours.

Community Relations Officer for the NWA’s Western Region, Janel Ricketts, said the expansion joints on the bridge are defective and require immediate repairs, which involves the demolition and reconstruction of the concrete abutment to the bridge, as well as the removal and replacement of the defective expansion joints.

Ricketts added that the concrete works associated with the bridge repair require a curing period of 28 days before the team can move to install the expansion joints.

In the interim, Ricketts said road users, travelling along Howard Cooke Boulevard, towards the direction of the Sangster International Airport, may travel via the lower section of Market Street, in the vicinity of the Baywest Shopping Centre, turn left onto Harbour Street, and then proceed to Queens Drive, or Jimmy Cliff Boulevard.

Additionally, motorists also have the option of using alternative routes to bypass the city centre. Motorists travelling from the Fairfield direction, towards the Sangster International Airport, who are desirous of bypassing the city centre, may travel via Fairfield, Catherine Mount, Hemmingay Way, and then on to the Dr Horace Chang Boulevard, before making their way to the Elegant Corridor.

"The NWA is also advising that in order to reduce congestion during the period of works, the Harbour Street and Market Street intersection will be closed to vehicular traffic. As such, no through traffic will be allowed from Harbour Street on to Market Street. Motorists will instead travel via Church Street," the agency said in a statement.

Now you can read the Jamaica Observer ePaper anytime, anywhere. The Jamaica Observer ePaper is available to you at home or at work, and is the same edition as the printed copy available at https://bit.ly/epaper-login