The Government has launched a J$1.6 billion Graded Overlay Emergency Road Rehabilitation Go Programme.

The works are scheduled to begin this month and continue into next year on several critical roads across the island, many of which were damaged by potholes and scouring during Hurricane Melissa.

The Go Road Rehab is focused on main and heavily travelled roads that are vital for daily commuting, commerce, access to schools, health facilities, farms and town centres.

The programme will prioritise road sections where pavement has been scoured or stripped by floodwaters, roads with significant pothole formation affecting safety and traffic flow, routes that connect major towns, markets and agricultural areas and roads that serve as primary access for emergency services and essential supplies.

Implementation of the Go Programme will be led by the National Works Agency (NWA) under the policy direction of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development (Works).

The works will be rolled out in phases, with the first set of roads starting in December and additional packages coming on stream early in the new year.

Works Minister Robert Nesta Morgan said the Go Programme is designed to provide targeted fast track interventions on surfaces damaged mainly by scouring and potholes while longer term reconstruction solutions are being finalised.

He noted that Hurricane Melissa caused widespread scouring of pavements and created deep potholes on some of the most important corridors.

Mr. Morgan added that the Go Programme is about moving quickly to grade, repair and overlay these damaged sections even as the authorities plan and design the larger reconstruction works that will follow.

The Go Road Rehab forms part of the wider post Melissa recovery effort which also includes medium and long term reconstruction projects to be rolled out under other capital programmes.

The J$1.6 billion allocation for Go Road Rehab will be closely monitored to ensure value for money and timely delivery.