Over 4,200 residents will benefit from Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) funded river training and road rehabilitation projects in the Jamaican communities of Beeston Spring, Westmoreland and Mount Vernon, St. Mary. The Bank is providing USD439,285 for the projects which will be conducted under the auspices of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). The total projected cost for both projects is USD478,848. The remaining USD39,563 will be contributed by the communities. Approximately 20 per cent of the roadway in Mount Vernon was destroyed due to a river overflowing its banks. The rehabilitation project will include the Construction of 6,000 square metres of gabion baskets, 200 square metres of riprap drains, 1,000 square metres of sheet patching and 100 square metres of ‘V' drains. The project is expected to be completed within the next three months. Mount Vernon resident and mixed farmer, Winston Clarke highlighted the importance of the road to the community. "We farm everything from livestock go right down and the road in Mount Vernon is a big help to the farmer, man, woman, schoolchildren and everyone. Without road, the produce cannot reach the market," he said. In Beeston Spring, poor road conditions have also severely impacted farmers resulting in damage to crops and spoilage, as produce is carried on donkeys from the farm to the main road. Through the project, 1.2 kilometres of roadway will be resurfaced and 1.4 kilometres repaired between Beeston Spring Main Road and Left Hall district. Information and quote taken from the Jamaica Gleaner