Mark Titus, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The dual carriageway of Segment 2A of the North Coast Highway, which runs between Sangster International Airport in St. James and Greenside, Trelawny, will be opened to vehicular traffic today.

Minister of Transport and Works, Mike Henry, made the announcement following a tour of that segment of the north coast development on Wednesday.

"I am happy that this is being completed in time for the visitor market," Mr. Henry said. "It is ready to take traffic, and it should be a relief to our commuters as traffic congestion will be eased somewhat."

Just one week into the winter tourist season, the traffic congestion that has been created as a result of the rehabilitation exercise being carried out has created some anxiety among tour attraction and hotel operators.

The tour party, which included Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, Ivan Anderson of the National Road Operating and Constructing Company, Senator Dennis Meadows, and officials of the National Works Agency (NWA) inspected and got updates on the drainage concerns at Salt Marsh, the Barrett Town intersection, and the hotel strip, as well as other areas of concern.

Other fixtures

Mr. Henry also revealed that an overhead footpath would be constructed for the start of the new school year. He, however, gave the assurance that the traffic lights would be in place for January. In addition, consideration is being given to engaging additional traffic wardens to ensure the safety of schoolchildren.

Mr. Bartlett noted that the opening of the corridor would ease the serious delays that occurred along the thoroughfare, and had led to a loss of revenue for the industry.

NWA communications manager Stephen Shaw told The Gleaner that work on the project, which comes with a price tag of J$3.5 billion, is expected to be completed by the end of March next year.

mark.titus@gleanerjm.com