Four Years After Collapse, New Troy Bridge Nears Completion
Jamaica Live News Desk– | Oct 3, 2025
The people of Troy, straddling the parishes of Trelawny and Manchester, have been waiting for years to see a new bridge rise where the historic Troy Bridge once stood. The original structure, built in 1896, collapsed in August 2021 when Tropical Storm Grace battered Jamaica, cutting off crucial access between communities in Trelawny, Manchester, and even parts of St. Elizabeth. Today, a new $230 million project is steadily taking shape, promising safer, stronger, and more reliable infrastructure for generations to come.
A Bridge With History — And Loss
For over a century, the original Troy Bridge was more than concrete and steel; it was a lifeline. Farmers crossed daily with produce, students made their way to school, and families connected across parish lines. Its collapse during the storm was devastating — cutting off vehicular access and forcing residents to find alternative routes that often meant longer travel times, higher transportation costs, and economic hardship for rural communities that depend on timely access to markets and services.
The New Bridge: Modern, Safer, and Stronger
In response, the government launched the $230 million Troy Bridge Reconstruction Project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. According to Minister without Portfolio Hon. Robert Morgan, the bridge is now 45 percent complete as of early 2025.
Key progress includes:
- Foundation work: Piles have been embedded and capped, forming the base for the upper structure.
- Approach roads: Work is underway to ensure safe entry and exit points, built with river shingles — a durable, weather-resistant aggregate to withstand future storms.
- Footbridge: In the interim, a pedestrian crossing has been provided to allow residents to move between Trelawny and Manchester with farm goods and essential supplies.
The new bridge is expected to be completed within seven months of late 2024’s timeline, though construction is ongoing well into mid-2025.
Why It Matters
For Troy and surrounding districts, this project is more than just a new road link. It represents:
- Restored connectivity: Easier access between Trelawny, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth.
- Economic relief: Farmers and traders can move produce more efficiently.
- Safety improvements: Modern engineering to withstand extreme weather events.
- Community resilience: A bridge that can support both pedestrian and vehicular access reliably.
Minister Morgan emphasized that the project is designed not only to replace what was lost but to upgrade rural infrastructure for long-term benefit.
Concerns Over Delays
Despite steady progress, some Jamaicans remain frustrated about the length of time the bridge has taken. The collapse happened in 2021, and by mid-2025, vehicular access is still unavailable. In comment sections and community discussions, residents ask why completion is taking so long — especially since the bridge is such a critical link.
Government officials argue that the delays reflect the complexity of engineering work, funding allocations, and the need to ensure the new bridge is built to withstand future storms. Still, the frustration of those who continue to trek across the temporary footbridge is undeniable.
Looking Ahead
When finished, the new Troy Bridge will be more than just a rebuilt structure — it will be a symbol of resilience for rural Jamaica. For farmers, students, and everyday commuters, it means restored convenience and safety. For the wider island, it’s a reminder of the importance of investing in strong infrastructure in the face of a changing climate.
Until then, the people of Troy continue to wait, hoping that this bridge — once a casualty of nature — will soon reopen as a pillar of progress and connectivity.