Project assistance completion report : rural road rehabilitation component of the agricultural marketing project (532-0060)

The project rehabilitated about 233 miles of roads against a target of 230 (reduced, due to budget shortfalls, from the original 450). However, due in part to the absence of a full-time construction engineer, about 20% of the roads did not meet USAID/J standards and had to be re-worked at the expense of the Ministry of Construction/Works (MOC/W). Additionally, the project experienced several work stoppages, primarily because of Government of Jamaica (GOJ) budgetary problems. These stoppages resulted in rapid deterioration of partially completed roads, requiring a repetition of the work and a consequent increase in costs. The workload also increased due to onsite conditions such as rain or deficiencies in planned drainage works. These factors substantially increased the GOJ's contribution to the project. Finally, about 12 miles of road -- most of them sections that were never rehabilitated -- have deteriorated appreciably, due to increased traffic flows. Roads selected for rehabilitation were analyzed on the basis of cost and traffic benefits, and some screening was done to include road length, location, and environmental factors. However, socioeconomic factors such as population, development, commodity movements, future plans in the area, and production were not considered in selecting roads due to a failure to recruit a sociologist. There was considerable disagreement between the MOC/W and the Mission concerning maintenance responsibilities. Eventually, a pilot program was initiated to assign local area personnel fixed lengths of roadway under contracts to carry out routine maintenance. The program had very positive results and was expanded to other areas. However, the problem remains that the GOJ does not make funds available for minor repairs, maintenance, or alterations immediately after completion of a project road.