RIO BUENO BYPASS OPENED

Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller cutting the ribbon to symbolically open the Rio Bueno Bypass.

The Rio Bueno Bypass in Trelawny was opened on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 by Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller. The Bypass was the last portion of work on Segment Two of the Northern Coastal Highway Improvement Project.

The opening followed the completion and opening of Segment Two of the Highway on December 14, 2006.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller noted that the broad objective of the Government's highway project was to foster economic diversification and growth by improving road conditions and thereby enhancing investment prospects across the island.

"Already, we have seen significant tourism investments which create employment and improve social development taking place along the highway corridor. But this highway project is not some glitzy super project to facilitate big business and fast driving", the Prime Minister said.

The original scope of the work of Segment Two of the highway improvements did not include construction of the Rio Bueno Bypass. The original plan was intended to improve the existing road through the town. This idea was abandoned however when it was discovered that such a move would have an adverse impact on a number of archaeological and historical buildings and sites in Rio Bueno.

The Prime Minister said that this fact informed the decision to construct the Rio Bueno Bypass. "That is the essence of adopting a balanced, holistic and responsible approach to development. It must not be at the expense of the environment or of our historical or cultural interests", she asserted.

The Bypass provides a spectacular view of the Caribbean Sea and the Rio Bueno Harbour as a result of its elevation, rising to a maximum of 70 metres above sea level.

Work on Segments 2a (Greenfield to Montego Bay) and 3 (Ocho Rios to Port Antonio) of the North Coast Highway Improvement Project is ongoing.