France’s Vinci has won a €144m contract from Jamaica’s National Water Commission to renovate and develop the drinking water network in the northwest of the country.

Vinci’s role on the first phase of the Western Water Resilience Programme includes designing and building 68km of cast-iron pipeline across a 130km area along an existing roadway, crossing a number of sensitive structures.

Durable materials have been selected that are designed to last over 50 years.

Work will be conducted alongside Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency in order to protect the environment.

Vinci predicts work will finish by 2029, with 100 staff employed.

The project is part of a larger development by the Jamaican government to mitigate the impact of droughts, increase climate resilience and safeguard water supply.

Tourism and manufacturing are currently growing in Jamaica’s northwest.