Highways have carried us far

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Jamaica’s expanding highway network has become one of the most transformative national investments of the past half-century. The devastation of Hurricane Melissa made this clearer. Evacuation routes, first responder access, and the delivery of life sustaining supplies all depended on reliable roads that simply did not exist in this form fifty years ago.

This infrastructure has fuelled Jamaica’s economic evolution. As we diversify beyond agriculture, mining, and traditional industry, improved mobility has enabled new commercial hubs, expanded employment opportunities, and encouraged investment outside the Kingston–St Andrew corridor. The rise of large retail and distribution centres in strategic regional locations is a direct result of this connectivity – reducing congestion, decentralizing services, and supporting more balanced national development.

But highways alone cannot deliver sustainable growth. Jamaica now faces a critical choice: either integrate land-use planning with infrastructure development or continue repeating the same costly mistakes after every storm.

A modern economy requires a systems approach one that recognizes that transportation, housing, drainage, utilities, food distribution, communications, energy, and environmental protection are interconnected.

We cannot continue to treat land as an infinite resource or assume that coastal areas can absorb unchecked development. Our mangroves, wetlands, watersheds, tree canopies, and grasslands are not obstacles to progress they are natural infrastructure. They absorb storm surge, reduce flooding, stabilise slopes, and protect soil. When they are removed or degraded, every hurricane exposes the same weaknesses, and every recovery becomes more expensive. Think about the commercial use of our oceans and harbours with a view of our aquatic ecosystem that have not received the attention and monitoring needed to protect our island and response to pollution events that often go unchecked.

Jamaica’s future depends on enforcing proper land use and mandating responsible coastal development. This means strengthening our planning agencies to meet and lead the Caribbean and establish international standards and practices, enforcing zoning regulations, and requiring environmental guidelines that protect both people and ecosystems. It means ensuring that every major project public or private is evaluated within the broader context of national resilience. Apply the lessons learned that are applicable to support the national development process and the preservation of our natural environment and resources.

PATRICK BROWN

Pembroke Pines, Florida

pbrown_436@yahoo.com