Workmen lay fresh concrete on the second level of the new state-of-the-art transportation centre in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, yesterday. - Workmen lay fresh concrete on the second level of the new state-of-the-art transportation centre in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, yesterday.

Transport and Works Minister, Robert Pickersgill, says the new transportation centre in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, could be ready before the October completion date.

Mr. Pickersgill, who was on a tour of the facility yesterday, says the contractors have recovered well from the cement shortage which had affected work on the project.

"We signed the contract in July 2005, but we had the delay with the cement shortage. (However) they have, in my mind, caught up because aspects of the works are 90-odd per cent complete the overall completion is 75 per cent complete as at February," he said yesterday. "So, from what you can see, they could very well be out of here before October and for obvious reasons I'd like that to be so," Mr. Pickersgill added.

The Half-Way Tree transportation centre is being constructed at a cost of US$71.3 million (J$4.7 billion). When completed, the double-level facility will be outfitted with 17 commercial shops, four kiosks and a 900-square-foot terrace capable of holding three fast-food type outlets. It will be able to accommodate up to 64 buses simultaneously.

Consideration

The centre is being built to accommodate Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses only, but yesterday Mr. Pickersgill said that could be reconsidered. He said also that the ministry was searching to identify a suitable firm to maintain the 11,000-square-foot structure.

The project is being financed by the Belgian government under a concessionary loan arrangement through the Commezbank of Belgium.

The project manager, Andrew Watt, says construction is within budget and the structure has been reinforced to withstand the force of the strongest hurricane or earthquake.