The Louis Berger Group (Louis Berger), a US-based consulting firm, has announced the commencement of work on the new $740m economic corridor highway project in Jamaica.

Louis Berger is providing programme and construction management for the North-South Highway project, which is designed to ease travel and promote economic development in the country.

Louis Berger US operations vice president Tom Lewis said: "We are pleased to offer our expertise managing large construction programmes to the development of a corridor that will link the north and south regions of Jamaica and improve and sustain local economies through transportation."

The North-South Highway project involves building of a 68km-long two-way, four-lane expressway in order to provide an efficient travel route between vital economic centres in the country’s north-south regions.

"Louis Berger is providing programme and construction management for the North-South Highway project, which is designed to ease travel and promote economic development in the country."

Louis Berger’s resident staff will oversee project design, engineering and construction activities to ensure that the project is in line with Jamaican regulations and international standards.

Through the duration of the project, the company will ensure that the infrastructure is delivered to specifications within the schedule and budget.

Construction of the proposed highway is expected to be completed in 2016.

The project is set to improve tourism and commercial trade by enhancing service level and transport ability along the corridor.

The Louis Berger Group is a consulting firm that provides architecture, engineering, programme and construction management, disaster response and recovery, environmental planning, and science and economic development services.

The company has a resource base of over 6,000 professionals and affiliate employees in around 50 countries.