Dear Editor,
This current APNU/AFC caretaker Administration continued road projects which the PPP started but they have blundered quite dangerously in the construction of several critical bridge infrastructures. Multi-lane roadways are being funnelled onto narrow/reduced lane bridges creating bottlenecks and all manner of dangers to road-users. On the lower East Coast alone, there are two stretches of roads, three lanes westbound near Starlight Drive-In and approaching Better Hope which channel into narrow two-lane bridges. In both cases, the inside land ends abruptly either in the trench or into the bridge shoulder. Just last week a car drove into the trench at Better Hope. This is the second accident in a month at that same spot. Needless to say, there are no warning signs.
A similar situation is developing at Sheriff Street where four lanes will be constructed. However, these four lanes will converge into that narrow bridge currently being built on Dennis Street. It is not as if they are trying to incorporate the old infrastructure, these bridges are now being built or were recently constructed. And it is not as if the ending inside lane can be used as pavement or for cyclists, the width of the bridge will not permit it.
In other areas I have observed the roads being made narrow, deliberately it would seem, to accommodate an extra-wide median when the situation should be the other way round. At the same time, access to entire villages has been blocked off when that challenge could have been resolved by adjusting the width of the median, as it is done in North America, to allow for turning traffic.
Then there is that stretch heading west again approaching Mon Repos market. That road is nice and three lanes wide but two lanes end abruptly at the market. The drive into the city from the East Coast is quickly becoming an obstacle course. I fear for the accidents that will happen and, of course, the prohibitive cost and inconvenience of the remedial works. The respective contractors, the subject Minister and the entire Government for that matter need to have their heads examined. If this Government is unable to see what are obvious flaws, can they be inspired to fix them?
Sincerely,
Ravi Ram
