Announcement of Nine Million Three Hundred Thousand US Dollars Loan to Jamaica for Road Improvement and Maintenance on May 31, 1973

t3 c9-{ INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR .RECONSTRUCT. .::>N AND DEVELOPMENT 1818 H STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON 0. C. 20433 TELEPHONE: EXECUTIVE 3-6360 Bank Press Release No. 73/31 Subject: $9. 3 million loan to Jamaica May 31, 1973 for road improvement and main- tenance The World Bank has approved a loan of $9.3 million equivalent for a road improvem~nt and maintenance project in Jamaica. Jamaica has a relatively extensive road network of about 10,000 miles of primary, secondary and access roads, of which some 8,000 miles are suit- able for vehicular traffic. The island has the fifth highest vehicle density in the Latin American and Caribbean region, with one vehicle per 20 persons. Jamaica's road network is extensive. However, because of deferment of periodic maintenance, the s'l1rface of ioost of the paved roads constructed between 1950 and 1960 and now carrying relatively heavy traffic -- shows signs • of considerable ~ear; if the roads are allowed to deteriorate further, they would need costly reconstruction work. The project being helped by the Bank loan will benefit all parts of the country. Its main features include resurfacing with asphaltic overlay of about 380 miles of arterial roads and about 60 miles of secondary main roads and resealing with double asphaltic surface treatment of another 250 miles of secondary main roads. In addition, the project includes provision of road maintenance equipment and technical assistance to help implement the p~oject, and improve highway maintenance. Contracts for works and equipment to be financed by the Bank loan will be awarded on the ba11is of international competitive bidding, but invitations to bids for the asphaltic resealing works will be advertised in Jamaica only. The project is scheduled for completion in 1978. The Bank loan will cover the foreign exchange component of the total cost of investments required for the project, estimated at $17. 3 million. The loan will be for a te.rm of 15 years, including five years of grace, at an annual interest rate of 7~%. • Central National Bank in Chicago is participating in the Bank loan to Jamaica. - 0 -  • May 31, 1973 TECHNICAL DATA PROJECT: Road improvement and maintenance COUNTRY: Jamaica TOTAL COST: $17. 3 million BANK FINANCING: $9.3 million loan, 15 years including 5 years of grace, 7~% interest per a11nlDll. OTHER FINANCING: Govemment of Jamaica. IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Ministry of Works, 140 Maxfield Avenue, Kingston 10, Jamaica; Cable Address: Ministry of Works, Kingston. PROJEcr DESCRIPTIW: Improvement of about 440 miles of paved main roads, • generally by provision of an asphaltic overlay; maintenance. of a further 250 miles approximately by provision of asphaltic resealing; carrying out certain minor works in conjW'lction with the resurfacing and resealing works; provision of road maintenance equipment, workshop equipment and tools; restructuring of the Directorate of Maintenance and improvement in the staffing and maintenance procedures of the Ministry of Works, insofar as they relate to road maintenance; provision of technical assistance to aid in the implementation of all the above project's items. PROCUREMENT: International competitive bidding, but invitations to bid for the asphaltic resealing works will be advertised in Jamaica only. CONSULTANTS: The Govemment is negotiating a contract with T.P. O'Sullivan and Partners. U.K. consultants (which carried out the feasibility study for the project) for the provision of technical assistance. ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: June 1978. - 0 - ••