Work is to begin by the end of September on the long-awaited South Coast Highway Improvement Project.

The Government of Jamaica this morning signed a contract with China Harbour Engineering Company, paving the way for the works to commence.

The work is to be undertaken at a cost of US$384 million by way of a loan from the China Exim Bank. Of the amount, US$195 million will be used for road construction works from Harbour View in St. Andrew to Cedar Valley in St. Thomas.

The remaining US$189 million will be used to extend the highway from May Pen in Clarendon to Williamsfield in Manchester. That project will come on stream at a later date.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Audrey Sewell, said the section from Harbour View to Yallahs Bridge will be extended to four lanes while the section from Yallahs Bridge to Port Antonio will benefit from realignment and surface rehabilitation.