Erica James-King, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

IN ORDER to reduce safety hazards to students in St. James this new school year, the traffic department of the National Works Agency will shortly complete the installation of safety measures in the vicinity of the Barrett Town/Sea Castles intersection of the North Coast Highway.

The Northern Jamaica Development Project (NJDP), which has responsibility to oversee the construction of the North Coast Highway, announced Monday that Friday would be the deadline for the establishment of the new structures.

WILL BE FINISHED

"As we speak some of the safety measures are being put in place. I understand that all the traffic arrangements for that crossing will be finished by the latest Friday, and the traffic department of the NWA is spearheading that move," disclosed Desmond Malcolm, NJDP Director, in response to questions from The Gleaner.

He said the new traffic measures would include the establishment of a pedestrian crossing and traffic light signals at the Barrett Town/Sea Castles intersection.

On Monday, The Gleaner observed workmen digging holes for the erection of the traffic
signals.

In the meantime, Wray Anderson, Principal of the Barrett Town All-Age School that has a population of some 500 students, is imploring the government to act expeditiously in completing the new safety signals at the Barrett Town/Sea Castles intersection.

DANGEROUS SITUATION

"We want the authorities to address the dangerous situation at that intersection as soon as possible to reduce the risk of any injuries or fatalities of students and staff," urged Mr. Anderson. "The children have been having problems crossing that dangerous stretch of roadway and the authorities need to act urgently in ensuring their safety."

This week's adjustment to the path of the North Coast Highway comes on the heels of concerns being raised by education officials from as far back as July this year, that the lives of the students at the Barrett Town All Age School and the new Success Primary School are being endangered because of the absence of safety structures at the Barrett Town crossing. During a tour of Segment II of the North Coast Highway in late July, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson had given the assurance that several government entities were taking steps to minimize the dangers to students along that thoroughfare.

Back to News

Go-Jamaica | Jamaica Star | Go-Local Jamaica | Sports Jamaica | Letters to the Editor