Police attribute Coldingen traffic jam to poor attention to road notices

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has attributed the recent traffic congestion at Coldingen on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) to commuters not adhering to advisories about ongoing construction work on the Railway Embankment bridge.
The heavy build-up, which lasted for hours, was largely caused by drivers, who they said ignored the notice and attempted to travel simultaneously, leading to severe delays.
In a recently televised police programme, Sergeant Dawain Caleb, Subordinate Traffic Officer attached to the Mahaica Police Station, urged commuters to better manage their time and plan ahead. He stressed that late departures contribute to the problem, as drivers leave home expecting to arrive on time despite heavy traffic. Sergeant Caleb pointed out that while the congestion caused significant delays, the police were able to restore order through coordinated efforts.
“With the police present, we are minimising the issues we used to have before, but it’s still posing a challenge from time to time if something should break down, if something should happen. The traffic usually backs up quickly when things like that happen…”, he said.

To mitigate future issues, the GPF’s Regional Division 4C has introduced a double-lane traffic system from Mon Repos to Georgetown and is prepared to expand to a third lane if traffic conditions worsen.
“We have a more robust plan…we are asking commuters to manage their time a little more for us. Everybody wants to leave home like five minutes to eight from Mahaica to get to Georgetown. It is impossible. I wish if persons can come to the place of managing their time better, so you can assist in getting safely to where you are going without the rush. Road safety is everybody’s business, not just the police.
The congestion was triggered by emergency repair work on the Coldingen bridge, which had been flagged for structural issues. Despite an advisory issued by the Ministry of Public Works and the GPF, many commuters seemed unprepared, resulting in lengthy delays and road chaos. The gridlock affected both the main road and the Railway Embankment, with drivers scrambling to find alternate routes, further exacerbating the situation.
In the weeks prior, commuters along the East Coast had endured similar delays due to the damaged bridge, with some public transportation services canceling routes altogether. The Ministry of Public Works had advised road users to detour through alternative routes, but heavy traffic persisted, leading to frustration among commuters and drivers alike.
In response to the recurring congestion, police officers have been strategically stationed at key points along the ECD to manage traffic flow and prevent further disruption. (G9)