In this December 2015 photo, NROCC Managing Director Ivan Anderson (left) consults with a representive of the contractors developing the North-South Highway. Chinese firm CHEC will be developing another toll road — Highway 2000: May Pen-Williamsfield — once planning approvals and concession negotiations are finalised later this year.

Gas station operators, supermarkets and streetside vendors in six communities are expected to see a reduction in traffic flow as a result of the realignment of the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000.

State-run National Road Operating and Construction Company Limited (NROCC) will meet with two of these communities, Osbourne Store and Porus, next week to hear their concerns, said Stephen Shaw, director of technical services at NROCC.

Shaw told the Financial Gleaner that the highway should increase business and housing along the corridor and thereby provide opportunities for those affected.

“Yes, this will increase business activity. We are carrying the highway towards the southern coast of the island where half the population lives. This highway will provide reliable route, and this reliability will aid in economic activity for whatever activity is done,” said Shaw.

It’s part of the planned US$188million leg of the road project, which will cut up to 50 minutes off the journey from Kingston to Williamsfield. The project will take three years to construct, but the start date remains to be determined.

That is based on requiring regulatory permits which is expected by summer, said Shaw.

The timeline for construction to begin will be determined thereafter with the conces-sionaire China Harbour Engineering Company.

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