THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WAS in Jamaica for approximately two weeks, late August to early September this year. Although I visited Alligator Pond via Santa Cruz/Gutters main road on one occasion, I was mostly in the Middle Quarters/Santa Cruz area of St. Elizabeth, and in Mandeville. On two occasions, while travelling between Gutters and Middle Quarters, there were severe downpours which resulted in the road in the Pepper/Goshen area and through Santa Cruz from near Longwood to Content becoming almost impassable. The low-lying areas and potholes in these areas became instant lakes. Major road washouts were also observed on the road from Gutters to Alligator Pond. I also made similar observations near Montego Bay.
The solution is quite evident and simple - include more storm-water management (flash flood drainage and storage) in the road design. It was clear that in the Santa Cruz area, there has been a tremendous amount of development, new residential and commercial areas, but no associated drainage infrastructure. In other areas, water poured off the hillsides directly onto roads.
It makes little sense to keep building and repairing roads without the requisite drainage to keep flash-flood waters from damaging the roads and putting people at risk. Highway engineers need to do their jobs more effectively. In the long run, the cost only gets higher through constant repair of damaged roads, loss of life and lost time in transporting goods and services. Both the government and highway engineers should perform highway construction under the principle, 'Do it right the first time'.
PS: I have a master's degree in urban planning and has been employed by New York State over the past 26 years, 16 of which have been on risk reduction.
I am, etc.,
RAD ANDERSON
Delmar, NY
Via Go-Jamaica
