$89m safe passage corridor for Old Harbour Primary on track
Article By: Old Harbour News
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- Mar 19, 2025 09:37 AM | Education
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The project will see laybys and bus shed constructed at the school’s entrance. (OH News Photo)
Scheduled for completion in June, the four-month initiative aims to modernize approximately 1,000 meters of Marlie Acres Road, stretching from the intersection of Dolphin Crescent and Dolphin Way to East Street, with a strong emphasis on safety and accessibility.
Funded by the Caribbean Development Bank's Basic Needs Trust Fund, the project will include comprehensive infrastructural upgrades such as improved sidewalks, the installation of guardrails, the erection of safety signage, and the construction of 13 laybys for taxis, along with a dedicated bus layby and bus sheds. These enhancements are designed to create a safer and more efficient environment for students, staff, and community members.
A key feature of the project is its focus on safety and community integration. The bus sheds, for instance, will be constructed with transparent materials to ensure clear visibility and effective surveillance. Additionally, the redesign incorporates 12 vendor stalls along Succaba South East, owned by the school, to provide a safe and organized space for local vendors. This innovative approach eliminates the need for children to cross the street to access goods, addressing a longstanding safety concern. Vendors will enter into agreements with the school, allowing them to sell specific items while safeguarding their livelihoods.
At the project's signing ceremony in February, Old Harbour Primary Principal George Goode highlighted the broader impact of the initiative. He emphasized that the upgraded corridor will not only benefit the school's students but also enhance the entire community, bringing a sense of elegance and fostering national pride among residents.
The Safe School Passage Corridor represents a significant step forward in creating a safer, more inclusive, and modernized environment for Old Harbour Primary and its surrounding community. With its completion on the horizon, the project is poised to set a new standard for school safety and community development in Jamaica.
