Traffic management concerns raised over West Dem. Road Project

Jun 09, 2017 News

The Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Chamber of Commerce and Industry (R3CC&I), yesterday held discussions on the impact, the US$46.8M West Demerara Road Expansion Project is having on businesses and residents within the region.
The chamber stated that it was brought to their attention that the contractors have not been executing their “Traffic Management Plan” as is stipulated in their contract, causing significant inconvenience to the Region.
The road project is being executed by means of a joint venture between Jamaica Construction Firm, Surrey Paving and Aggregate Company (SPA) Limited and its local partner, BK International (SPA/BK).
The engagement, which was held at the Caricom Insurance Company building at Ruimzeight, West Coast Demerara, saw top officials from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), chamber officials and the contractors attending.
Chamber President, Radesh Rameshwar, noted his concern over the “numerous complaints” his association would have received over the traffic management system which results in the loss of time and money.
He also expressed concerns that the lack of these mechanisms may result in the loss of life or limb.
Persons in the audience lamented over what they referred to as a “blatant” disregard for traffic rules by some drivers despite the presence of police ranks at several identified “hot-spots”.
The Vreed-en-Hoop Junction was listed as one such area that needs more police ranks during the rush-hour periods.
The Chamber took the opportunity to request from the ‘D’ Divisional Commander, Leslie James, that additional ranks are placed at strategic positions, not only at the hot-spots, but also at areas leading up to them.
It was pointed out by another chamber member, that several signs and barriers are without the necessary reflective materials making it difficult for drivers to navigate the roads at night.
Representatives from the two construction firms, as well as a spokesperson from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, made commitments that better forewarning systems will be set in motion now that the project is approaching crunch-time.
Recommendations were also made by the Chamber to the GPF and the contractors, to set in place better or more demarcations on the roadways. There was also a plea to the commander to “make an example” of recalcitrant drivers by imposing more stringent fines and measures.
The Commander said that the demarcations are in place but are constantly being destroyed by the tracks of heavy-duty equipment being driven on the roadways.
The chamber promised to meet with the farmers’ association in the region to curb this issue and to also address the issue of large chunks of mud being left behind by combines and tractors.
As of April this year, the road project was announced at 65 percent complete, with several areas east of Parika and west of Vreed-en-Hoop already completed.
The deadline for the project is next year January.

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