Roy Sanford, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
DONALD COLOMATHI, Councillor of the Spring Mount Division at the St. James Parish Council, has warned that there is a 'potential for disaster' if traffic signs are not installed immediately on the Howard Cooke Boulevard.
The boulevard is being dualised at a cost of $718 million that will see it become a four-lane roadway from the site of the former Amphitheatre at Queens Drive, to the intersection at Alice Eldermire Drive and Bogue Road.
Mr. Colomathi said that it is becoming commonplace for motorists, especially taxi operators, to stop abruptly on the roadway to pick up and discharge passengers, posing a danger to other motorists.
"For example if a motorist stops suddenly and the motorist behind doesn't have time to react, you have an accident," he said.
"Necessary signs must be put up to ensure that motorists don't stop randomly on the boulevard. There is a potential for disaster if something is not done."
Stephen Shaw, the regional communication manager of the National Works Agency (NWA) the government agency that has responsibility for roads, said that although traffic signs might be needed, they do not ensure full compliance by motorists.
"It is a matter for the police to handle," he said.
Attempts at comment from the Traffic Police on Wednesday proved futile.
Mr. Colomathi also pointed out that the dualisation project appears to be moving along smoothly and the traffic problem in the second city has been greatly reduced.
Other highlights of the dualisation project include the removal of all roundabouts on the boulevard, the construction of bridges, resurfacing of the road and major drainage works.
