Immediate Addition of Two Lanes at Toll Booth, Longer-Term Plans Too, As Toll Rates Set to Increase
Ocho Rios, St Ann; July 16, 2026
The Government says it is taking a series of immediate and long-term measures to improve traffic flow at the Mammee Bay Toll Plaza. The announcement by way of a release from the Minister of Works, Robert Nesta Morgan, on Thursday, July 16, comes on the heels of announced proposed toll rate increases for motorists using the North South (Edward Seaga) Highway.
It also comes ahead of this weekend’s staging of Reggae Sumfest, which is expected to pull large numbers of vehicles westbound through that toll plaza into St Ann.
(Two lanes are being added here to reduce wait time and congestion)
Long lines regularly form at the toll plaza, before the Mammee Bay roundabout, on weekends and as traffic heads toward big north coast events.
The North Coast Times reported this week that Down Sound, organizers of Sumfest being held Saturday, July 18, at Priory, have been dialoguing with the toll operators to put in two extra lanes at the toll plaza for Saturday’s traffic. Police have announced other traffic moves to reduce congestion along the North Coast Highway to the venue.MAJOR PLANS TO PREVENT TRAFFIC HELL AT SUMFEST
(Minister of Works Robert Morgan)
In his release Thursday, Minister Morgan said the measures to improve flow at the Mammee Bay toll plaza were agreed following discussions led by the Ministry, through the National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC), with the highway operator, Jamaica North South Highway Company Limited (JNSHC).
“As an immediate measure, JNSHC has commenced construction of two additional toll lanes at the Mammee Bay Toll Plaza. Once completed, the additional lanes are expected to significantly reduce queue lengths and improve the level of service during periods of high traffic volume,” the release said
JNSHC has also been instructed to submit a comprehensive long-term expansion plan to NROCC to accommodate increasing traffic demand.
Stephen Edwards, Managing Director of NROCC, welcomed the measures and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to improving the travelling experience for motorists.
“The additional toll lanes represent an important short-term intervention, while the long-term expansion plans will position the Mammee Bay Toll Plaza to accommodate future growth in traffic volumes.
