For some drivers it is a wait-and-see game. For others it will alleviate the traffic bother many experience while travelling along the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and the Uriah Butler Highway Interchange.Phase one of the National Infrastructure Development Company's (Nidco) new traffic routes is set to be commissioned tomorrow which will see a change in the flow of traffic from south to north, south to east, west to north and east to north. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is expected to open the new facility.
San Fernando to Port-of-Spain driver Christopher Bruce said he felt it was too early to tell. He said in an interview yesterday that experience was needed before he could comment further. He said, however, that sooner or later the highways would become a freeway because the ministry would have to remove the remaining eight traffic lights which run along the route to alleviate the traffic problems often experienced by drivers and commuters.
Asked if this could see the increase in road fatalities, Bruce said it might but added that the Ministry of Works needed to ensure proper signage, which he said, would assist in curbing accidents.
Similarly, driver of two years Nikormo Seaton, who works along the Chaguanas to San Fernando route, said he too had to wait and see. He said it, however, was a good idea at eliminating the traffic congestion."I say wait for the experience," he said.
Ryan Arjoon, a taxi driver who plies the San Fernando to Port-of-Spain route and who has worked that route for four years, was certain that on Monday there would be traffic. The problem, Arjoon said, was that too many people worked and conducted business in the nation's capital. East-West Corridor driver Horace Garica, who has worked the route for 13 years, said he believes there will be a smooth flow of traffic after Sunday's opening.
The changes
Taken from the ministry's advertisement published in the daily newspapers
South to North
Drivers will now proceed along the northbound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway and keep right after the Port-of-Spain exit and then proceed north
South to East
Drivers will now have to proceed along the northbound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway and keep left after the Port-of-Spain exit. Then exit left on to the new South to East Clover and proceed on to the Churchhill-Roosevelt Highway eastbound.
West to North
Proceed east, keeping left along the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway after the Aranguez overpass. Proceed past the south exit ramp and exit the highway via the new west to north ramp to access the Uriah Butler Highway.
East to North
Drivers will have to proceed west along the Chruchill-Roosevelt Highway and keep left upon passing Valpark Shopping Plaza. Exit the highway on to the new frontage road and keep right. Upon passing the entrance to Grand Bazaar move to the left lane and proceed straight under the new Uriah Butler Highway overpass to access the East to North clover and on to the Uriah Butler Highway northbound. The traffic lights across the Uriah Butler Highway southbound will be in effect.
East to South
Drivers will proceed west along the Chruchill-Roosevelt Highway and keep left upon passing Valpark Shopping Plaza. Exit the highway onto the new frontage road and keep right. Upon passing the entrance to Grand Bazaar move to the left lane and exit onto the existing Uriah Butler Highway southbound. The traffic lights across the Uriah Butler Highway southbound will be in effect.
Westbound back to East
Drivers will now proceed west along the Churchill/Roosevelt Highway and keep left upon passing Valpark Shopping Plaza. The drivers will exit the highway on to the new frontage road and keep right. Upon passing the entrance to Grand Bazaar move to the left lane and proceed straight under the new Uriah Butler Highway overpass to access the East to North Clover and onto the Uriah Butler Highway northbound.
Exit left on to the new south to east clover and proceed onto the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway eastbound. The traffic lights across the Uriah Butler Highway will be in effect.
