Transport and works minister Mike Henry has signed a contract worth A$279m (US$267m) for the rehabilitation work on 13.7km of roadway between Scotts Cove and Belmont main road in Westmoreland in Jamaica.

The scope of work involves reconstruction of 4.1km of roadway, and rehabilitation of a 2.6km stretch, which will be patched, milled and regulated with asphaltic concrete.

The project is expected to give farmers greater access to transportation and to open up trade-related corridors, as well as to facilitate development in housing and other commercial activities.

The project will be funded by the government through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank and will be executed under the Transportation Infrastructure Rehabilitation Programme.

Asphaltic Concrete will undertake the roadworks for the project, which are expected to last one year.