A report from the National Works Agency's (NWA) Portland parish managers has determined that the road from which a truck plunged on Friday, killing 14 people, was and remains safe for travellers.

At the same time, the Ministry of Transport and Works is awaiting a report from the Island Traffic Authority on the investigation into the accident, which occurred at Dam Bridge in the parish.

Mitchell Hodelin, CEO of the NWA, said yesterday that the 6.6-metre (21.6-foot)-wide road had been rehabilitated fairly recently.

"The road surface is in generally good condition. It was rehabilitated in 2006 and it's being maintained at a reasonably good level of service," he said.

Contract signing

Hodelin was speaking during a contract signing at the transport ministry's St Andrew offices.

Nine contracts were issued to contractors to continue the repairs of roads and gullies, affected by the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav in late August.

Hodelin's comments follow reports that prior to the accident which claimed 14 lives, farmers in the parish had raised concerns about the narrow and winding road.

Commenting on the farmers' concerns, published in The Gleaner yesterday, Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry said the Government was seriously considering setting up a dedicated fund to repair farm roads islandwide.

Henry was speaking on Independent Talk on Power 106.

Speaking later at the contract signing, he said the ministry was awaiting a report from the Island Special Constabulary Force to determine whether the missing driver of the truck, so far identified only as 'Chris', had a driver's licence.

"It's not clear what happened, but we are going to look at the reports to see if we have to do anything from the road or transport sector in terms of markings, etc," Henry said.

Pending the investigation, Henry said he plans to visit the scene and the parish before the New Year.