No timetable for Portmore Toll reopening

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer



Businesses in the hectic commercial district of Newport West and its environs were forced to close today, as a suspected gas leak from a mysterious source in the area baffled experts late into the afternoon.



Not only were personnel at the usually busy ports hastily evacuated from in that area by hazardous fumes, residents of Portmore were forced to take a wide berth to get in and out of the community as authorities effected a rapid closure of the Portmore Toll Road from late morning into the late mid-afternoon.



A timetable for the reopening of the plaza has not been scheduled.



Workers of the many commercial enterprises in Newport West were hurriedly sent home as experts scoured the area for the source of what one worker described as a really awful smell.



“We have been sent home and no vehicle is allowed into the area as the police blocking up from Three Miles and at one end and Marcus Garvey Drive,” said an employee of Lascelles.



The employee had to take a circuitous route unto the Mandela Highway to her home in Portmore as the police also advised motorists to stay away from the Dyke Road which provides an alternative route into the Corporate Area.



A message that was circulated to members of the Portmore community stated that: “There is no access to the Portmore Toll because of a gas leak.”



Stressing that roads are blocked by the police, the message urged residents ”…please stay away, deadly fumes in the air, no one should use the Dyke Road."



The Portmore Municipal office in Portmore Pines was also in on the action as it sought to take precautionary measures to safeguard the community from potential danger.



“We have a team over there to see whether it is impacting on the residents of Portmore… we understand that at present the fumes are in the New Port area but we are watching to see if it will shift this side,” a spokesman at the Municipal office told The Gleaner.



Mayor of Portmore George Lee was locked in a meeting as he sought updates on the suspected gas leak.



gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com