Road-works mayhem creating havoc in Morant Bay

THE EDITOR, Madam:

It has been four weeks now where the lives of the travelling public in, around and through Morant Bay and its surrounding districts have been disrupted. The traffic comes to a standstill in three and sometimes four sections of this short segment of about eight kilometres, resulting in delays of 30 to 45 minutes in a trip which usually takes 10 minutes. This is due specifically to the pipe-laying that is taking place in the area now, which are being laid on both sides of the road. This has left a narrow strip in the centre, where only one vehicle at a time can pass. This just confirms my earlier observation that the whole project is under no supervision.

In a statement National Works Agency on February 23 said: “… National Works Agency (NWA) Communication and Customer Services Manager, Stephen Shaw, explains that pipe-laying will be restricted to night time hours … .” The work is being done in the daytime only, and the work started a week before they said it would. The Morant Bay police were also concerned about the traffic pile-up in the town and its environment.

The pile-up, in my opinion, is compounded by the fact that the contractors often block both sides of the road with the works of backhoe, excavating and other machines, instead of working with the intent of maintaining at least a single-lane movement.

The NWA also said: “...The aim is to have the entire stretch of roadway between the Morant Bay Roundabout and Wharf Road paved at the end of the ninety-day period.” If what was said about the time and implementation of the project was not followed, why do we not believe the road will be paved in 90 days? I cannot imagine facing these daily pile-ups for another two months (one month suffered by everyone already) and we cannot be confident of this proposed completion time.

We note also that the curb walls were put in place in many areas before the pipe laying began, thus damaging many of these curb walls that were already installed. More evidence of lack of project supervision. The dust nuisance was also highlighted recently on TVJ, but nothing was done to alleviate this situation. Someone needs to take charge of this project instead of it being left up to the tradesmen!

The NWA or responsible entity needs to come and observe what is happening, even for a few hours, instead of making pronouncements which are not, or cannot be implemented. We welcome the long overdue road improvements, but it can be done with the cooperation of the citizens and the contractors.

CARL MURRAY