Gov’t Unveils Major Road Repair Plan for 2026 – 500 Miles to Get Fix

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Government of Jamaica on Monday announced a massive road repair initiative set to begin in early 2026, promising to fix over 500 miles of parochial and main roads across all 14 parishes. The project, estimated to cost J$12 billion, will be funded through a combination of the Road Maintenance Fund and a new infrastructure bond.

Minister of Transport and Works, Audley Shaw, made the announcement at a press conference at the Ministry’s headquarters on Maxfield Avenue. “We know that bad roads have been a headache for far too long. From St. Thomas to Westmoreland, people are tired of dodging potholes and paying for damaged tires. Come 2026, we are going to start making things right,” Shaw said.

The plan prioritises rural communities and agricultural routes, with special attention to areas that have been neglected for years. Among the first roads scheduled for repairs are the Junction to Port Antonio stretch in Portland, the Santa Cruz to Black River corridor in St. Elizabeth, and the main road through Trelawny’s Martha Brae district. Work is expected to begin in February 2026 and run for 18 months.

Local residents welcomed the news but urged the government to follow through. “Mi hear plenty talk before, but this time mi hope dem stick to it. The road from my district to the market is like a river when it rain. Mi lose two tire and a rim last month alone,” said 58-year-old farmer Michael Gordon of St. Mary.

The Ministry says it will also introduce a new pothole-reporting app called “RoadFix JA,” which will allow citizens to photograph and report damaged roads directly to the National Works Agency (NWA). The app is expected to be available for download on Android and iOS by December 2025.

In addition, the government plans to hire 200 temporary workers from local communities to assist with basic road maintenance, providing employment while speeding up repairs. Shaw noted that a portion of the budget would be set aside for drainage improvements to prevent newly paved roads from washing away during heavy rains.

Critics, however, have questioned the timing of the announcement, coming just months before the next general election. Opposition Spokesperson on Transport, Mikael Phillips, said: “This is a clear election gimmick. Why wait until 2026 when roads are in crisis now? The government has had years to fix this.”

But Shaw dismissed the criticism, insisting the project is fully funded and not a political stunt. “We have the money secured and the contracts will be awarded transparently. This is about delivering for the Jamaican people, not about politics,” he said.

What this means for you: If you live in a rural area or regularly travel on parochial roads, expect major improvements starting early 2026. Download the RoadFix JA app by December 2025 to report issues. Keep an eye on your local Member of Parliament’s town hall meetings for updates on which roads in your district will be repaired first.

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