After several years of being cut off from neighbouring communities and being forced to use longer routes to reach markets, farmers in Troy and neighbouring districts in southern Trelawny have welcomed the opening of the new $230 million Troy Bridge.

The bridge, which replaces the original 19th-century structure that collapsed in 2021 during the passage of Tropical Storm Grace, was officially opened last Friday by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness. It will reconnect communities in Trelawny, Manchester and St Elizabeth that had been cut off.

Harvey Williams, a yam farmer who faced serious inconvenience following the collapse of the old bridge, had been forced to take a longer route to get his produce to Santa Cruz in St Elizabeth. He was a picture of delight as he watched Dr Holness cut the ribbon to commission the new bridge into service.