This sign to tell drivers to take caution, as construction is in progress on the Mount Rosser leg of Highway 2000, also points, , to hold-ups in the completion of the work. - Norman Grindley /Chief Photographer

Government says work will be resumed shortly on the Mount Rosser segment of the Highway 2000 project, which has left over 200 workers temporarily without employment.

Minister of Transport and Works, Mike Henry, said work could resume in about a week.

He said work had been suspended until Government had finalised agreements on financing the final phase of the project.

A geo-technical study of the area, which had to be commissioned a year ago to guide the completion of the highway, drove the cost of the project up by US$23 million (J$2.047 billion), leaving the Government in a bind.

temporary matter

"It's only a very temporary matter (the suspension). I'm meeting with the Ministry of Finance to have the final discussions to clear it all up," Henry told The Gleaner.

He, however, declined to divulge the details of exactly how the Government planned to finance the remainder of the project.

The minister said the temporary suspension was not expected to delay the completion of the roadway, which should be ready by early next year. The project is about 70 per cent complete.

The minister said it would not be necessary for him to meet with the more than 200 workers being affected by the temporary halt to the project.

The National Workers Union wrote to Henry following news of the suspension, seeking an urgent meeting regarding when work would be resumed.

Cabinet is expected to discuss the issue on Monday.

gareth.manning@gleanerjm.com