Western Water Project Begins at Rose Hall, Lane Closures Expected

Montego Bay, St James, 20 July 2026

Work has started on the first phase of the Western Water Resilience Improvement Project along the Elegant Corridor at Rose Hall, St James, and motorists have been warned to expect lane closures for many months as crews lay new pipelines.

Phase one is valued at more than €150 million, while the four phases together are expected to cost over US$450 million. The contractor is VINCI Construction.

Traffic Changes on the Corridor

Single-lane closures are already in place at the work site, and officials said two lanes are likely to be closed within weeks as the project advances. The National Water Commission (NWC) has asked road users to plan for delays.

Wayne Robertson, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change, appealed for understanding while the work is carried out. “Jamaicans, just be patient with this project,” he said, adding that the authorities would keep the public informed.

Also involved are Pierre-Emmanuel Faivre, the project manager for VINCI Construction, and Kevin Kerr, acting president of the NWC.

A Long Build Ahead

The section from Greenwood to Montego Bay is expected to take 24 months, which would bring it to completion in the summer of 2028. A second leg of the works is scheduled to be finished by October 2028.

What It Means for Western Jamaica

A secure water supply is one of the basic conditions for growth in any region, and St James is home to Jamaica’s second city as well as a large share of its tourism. Investment on this scale is aimed at making supply to the western end of the island more resilient.

For homeowners and buyers along the north-west coast, better water infrastructure is likely to add to the appeal of residential areas served by the new lines, and it removes one of the practical worries for anyone building or buying in the area. Developers planning housing schemes in the region are also likely to watch the timeline closely, since large projects depend on dependable bulk supply.

In the short term, however, the cost will be borne on the road. Commuters, residents and businesses along the Elegant Corridor should allow extra travel time and look out for NWC notices about changing traffic arrangements over the next two years.

Follow Jamaica Homes on Youtube @jamaicahomes and Instagram @jamaica_homes and on Facebook @jamaicahomesnews Send us a message or email us at onlinefeedback@jamaica-homes.com or editor@jamaica-homes.com