$78.9M Kitty roundabout ahead of schedule - MPI

$78.9M Kitty roundabout ahead of schedule – MPI

May 11, 2018 News

The new Kitty roundabout, which was constructed for the sum of $78.9M, will reduce traffic congestion and make life easier for road users.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Project Engineer, Sherod Parkinson, said that a survey conducted approximately two months ago, showed that a vehicle approaching the intersection of the Seawalls Road, Rupert Craig Highway, Vlissengen Road, Carifesta Avenue, and the JB Singh Road experienced about 80 seconds of delay.
This adds up and would create a massive traffic jam during peak hours. Parkinson stated that prior to the construction of the roundabout, it took persons approximately 30-35 minutes to pass through the intersection.
He said that traffic would be backed up as far as the Guyoil Gas Station at the corner of Queen Street and the Rupert Craig Highway during peak periods in the mornings and evenings.
With the Kitty roundabout, Parkinson said that drivers will now have a shorter delay which will result in persons reaching their destination faster than before.
Not only will persons reach their destination faster but they will also save on fuel and reduce wear and tear of their vehicles.
Parkinson said that the project is about 95% complete leaving only road signs and markings to be installed. It is also about six weeks ahead of schedule.
He further stated that there were cost overruns but added that these were “taken on” by the contractor who wanted to ensure the project is completed within the stipulated time.
One of the engineers, Imran Baksh, who was also at the Press Conference said that there is so much traffic that an intersection can handle efficiently over a period of time.
He noted that the roundabout is an improvement, which will give a larger volume of traffic access through the network in a shorter period of time.
Jorge Linton, another engineer, told reporters that there is no signalization that can cater for the volume of traffic that is expected. He explained that as the years progress, the traffic volume will keep increasing.
Before the roundabout was installed, Parkinson said, there would be policemen on the road during the peak periods in the mornings and evenings affecting the free flow of traffic. He said that when the roundabout is being fully utilized, there would be no need for policemen to be out there.
The roundabout is expected to be opened to the public ahead of Independence Day.
To ensure the correct usage of the roundabout, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will be embarking on a major publicity campaign.

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