THE EDITOR, Sir:MY ALARM went off this morning at 4:45 a.m. That is the time I am awakened these days. I'm not about to catch a flight out of the island and therefore have to be at the airport two hours in advance. It's not even that I am off to the country on vacation and want to catch breakfast in Negril. I am simply trying to take one of my two daughters to school by 7:45 a.m. and reach work by 8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. you may ask, but why so early out of bed?
Well for those of you who do not know, I am only one of the thousands of individuals, including children, who have to undergo this on a daily basis. We represent a group of individuals who by virtue of birth or otherwise, live in the southern part of St. Catherine - Portmore and its environs. The authorities have been gracious in that they are planning to provide us with a highway to assist us in getting to and from our homes without this kind of stress, and we thank them. However, those of us who would like a choice in the matter of paying a toll are told to use the alternative route, which is the back way out of Portmore - that section of road running from Portmore Pines to Mandela Highway.
Here is the problem with that alternative. Prior to the relocation of a section of the back corridor, there used to be a roundabout, which was converted to a four-way intersection, with stoplights to facilitate the easy flow of traffic. This leads to another intersection leading unto the Mandela Highway, about 100 metres. Traffic cops would assist by directing the flow of traffic, which was a slow and tedious process, but the traffic moved. This intersection was recently removed (the one with the stoplights) and replaced by a roundabout (yes, similar to the one removed before because of congestion). In addition to this roundabout, there was added another intersection, which is a T-junction, where vehicles are required to cross the flow of traffic to go about their way to and from Lakes Pen. (Have I confused you?)
Here is the real dilemma amidst the confusion the traffic now stands still. The Police officers are unable to regulate the roundabout as it is just impossible. By the way, this same roundabout will be the entrance to that section of the highway for those of us who wish to go to Mandeville, MoBay, Ocho Rios, etc. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the idea of a new highway. But where is the alternative? Is there a bigger picture that I am not seeing? Is there another section of the highway which will enable us to exit Portmore without a cluster of intersections? What will happen to us when the highway is open allowing all and sundry to fly over us, exit onto Mandela and then come upon the Cooreville Gardens intersection and the Six Miles overpass? Currently, this backs up without that inflow of traffic. It occurs to me that the sporadic traffic jam on the way to Kingston serves a purpose. It allows the traffic in town to flow without a bottleneck, which will eventually happen at Six Miles and Cooreville Gardens.
Developers, please give us the big picture. We are yet to see a draft of the proposed highway. Even post a diagram at major intersections of the highway, so the anxiety of not knowing could be alleviated. We the residents simply do not know. Someone said that after the stress caused by the new cluster of intersections, we would gladly pay the $60 proposed to use the highway. If that were the case, YOU would have won! Or would you?
I am etc.,
DOLKEITH HARRIOTT
dharriott@productivebiz.com
