The government has signed a nearly $1.7 billion contract for the penultimate phase of works on the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James.

The project will be undertaken by M &M Jamaica Limited and is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Rehabilitation works began at the hospital after air quality issues surfaced in 2016.

Since then there have been delays and concerns from residents and the business community about the costs and timeline for getting the facility back into full operation.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says the government now has a clearer path to the rehabilitation and completion of the hospital.

He says Cornwall and the rehabilitation project have been a consistent source of discontent in western Jamaica and he accepts that there is a lot of justification for people to be concerned.

Dr. Tufton adds that there is a revised roadmap. Final works will include stripping of the building.

He adds that the cabinet has approved emergency procurement arrangements for the project.