NASSAU, Bahamas — Shenique Albury, Environmental Specialist in the Project Execution Unit assigned to the New Providence Road Improvement and Infrastructure Project (NPRIIP), took the media throughout New Providence to highlight routes the public can take to assist with reducing traffic congestion associated with “Back to School” traffic.
Colin Higgs, Permanent Secretary, other Ministry officials and officers from the Traffic Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force also took part in the tour, Tuesday, August 30. The routes will help make the flow of traffic smoother as work continues with the NPRIIP.
Ms Albury explained that the routes will take effect as of September 5, 2011.
“The Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Traffic Division of the Police Force will be monitoring traffic during the first few weeks of school to identify challenges and to make adjustments as necessary.”
She added, “The Ministry of Works and Transport would like to emphasise that despite single and full road closures, local access is granted to residents and business houses. The public is encouraged to support businesses even though they may fall within an area of active road works.”
Ms Albury said parents, teachers and students would be able to have easy access to and from C I Gibson from the Wulff Road Roundabout and once Samana Drive is reopened access will be available from Marathon Road/East West Highway Junction.
Persons will be able to proceed north on Marathon, turn east (right) onto Jenoa Way, turn north (left) onto Isabella Avenue, then turn left onto Samana Drive then back onto Marathon Road.
St Augustine’s College will be accessible westbound from Fox Hill Road via Springfield Road and eastbound from Prince Charles Drive as usual, east of Winters Road local access only will be given at the entrance of the school.
Access to Doris Johnson Senior High School will be accessible westbound on Prince Charles, local access only available to school’s eastern gate and eastbound access will be diverted through Beatrice Avenue to Bay Lily to Sea Breeze Lane to Fox Hill Road and west on Prince Charles local access only to the school’s eastern gate.
Access to Faith Temple School can be gained west on Prince Charles to Pine Barron Road.
C R Walker is accessible from south via Market Street turning left and travelling west onto School Lane. It is also accessible from Baillou Hill Road as follows: north onto Baillou Hill until Hay Street, east on Hay Street to Market Street, north on Market Street to School Lane.
Ms Albury said, “Considerable progress has been made on Market Street. Paving will be done up to Palm Tree Avenue in a matter of weeks which will improve flow from Wulff Road heading south.”
Also at the junction of Soldier Road and Abundant Life Road, two lanes of traffic will be allowed for the first few weeks of school to help relieve traffic.
The Eastern Access of Texaco Gas Station on Old Trail Road/Robinson Road will be closed to reduce traffic congestion in the area. Access will not be granted to Robinson Road/Old Trail Junction from Grace Avenue.
By Llonella Gilbert
Bahamas Information Services
