A 2KM stretch of new road and sidewalks begins on Eltham Boulevard
Jamaica Live News Desk– | Sept 11, 2025
St. Catherine, Jamaica — Work officially started today on a 2-kilometre stretch of new road and sidewalks along Eltham Boulevard, running from Brunswick Avenue to Gordon Boulevard, under the government’s SPARK Road Programme. The project, championed by St. Catherine Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange, is scheduled for completion in November 2025.
Minister Grange, who has long been an advocate for infrastructure upgrades in her constituency, noted that the improvements are not just about smoother commutes but about uplifting the daily lives of residents.
“Together, we are building better roads and stronger communities,” Grange declared, while also acknowledging that residents may experience some inconvenience during the construction period.
Part of a Larger National Push
The works in St. Catherine Central are not isolated. They represent a broader national agenda spearheaded by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his administration, which secured a fresh mandate from the people in the recent general elections.
Across the island, the SPARK Programme is being rolled out as a transformative initiative to modernize Jamaica’s road network. It aims not only to repair deteriorating roads but also to create safer, more pedestrian-friendly environments with sidewalks, drainage, and improved lighting.
But road development is only one pillar of the Holness-led national transformation plan:
Transportation: The National Rural School Bus System has already deployed dozens of buses, easing the burden on parents and providing safer commutes for students. Free travel for children during the back-to-school period demonstrates the administration’s push for equitable access.
Housing & Land Titles: Thousands of Jamaicans have been granted titles under the Systematic Land Registration Programme, while new housing developments such as Hibiscus Housing are expanding opportunities for homeownership.
Economic Development: Special Economic Zones and partnerships with international firms are generating new jobs, while small businesses are being supported with grants and microfinancing opportunities.
Agriculture & Food Security: Major projects such as the Pedro Plains Irrigation Expansion and the Essex Valley Cold-Storage Facility are strengthening Jamaica’s food resilience and empowering farmers.
Sports & Culture: Under Babsy Grange’s portfolio, heavy investment continues in sports development, community culture programs, and the preservation of heritage sites, ensuring Jamaica’s identity is celebrated at home and abroad.
Building a Modern Jamaica
Prime Minister Holness has consistently framed his administration’s vision as one of nation-building through tangible results. By linking infrastructure, education, housing, and culture, the government hopes to drive Jamaica toward sustainable growth while ensuring no community is left behind.
The Eltham Boulevard roadworks symbolize this wider ambition: modern roads as the backbone of stronger communities, enabling commerce, mobility, and safer public spaces.
As Jamaica looks ahead, projects like this stand as visible proof of what Holness describes as a “decade of transformation”—one in which everyday Jamaicans should feel the benefits of better governance, better infrastructure, and better opportunities.