The Linstead-to-Moneague leg of the North-South Highway is to be completed and officially opened in time for Jamaica's 52nd Independence celebration.

Contractors on the project, China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), says all is in place for this week's official opening by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

In a statement released on the weekend, CHEC described the project as a milestone event in Jamaica and said it was honoured to be handing it over to the Government and people of Jamaica in the country's 52nd year of Independence.

The highway, which is expected to cut the travel time between Kingston and Ocho Rios by 50 minutes, is scheduled to be handed over to the Government on Tuesday.

The four-lane 66-kilometre highway is also expected to significantly boost the country's economic development.