NEW HALF WAY TREE TRAFFIC CHANGES COMING

Minister Pickersgill addressing Press Conference re:traffic changes for Half Way Tree.

As of December 4, 2005, new traffic changes will take effect in the Half Way Tree area. This follows a review of earlier traffic changes that were implemented in the same thoroughfare in May of this year consequent on the building of the Half Way Tree Transport Centre. These disclosures were made at a Press Conference by Minister Robert Pickersgill on Friday, November 18 at the Ministry of Transport and Works’ Corporate Offices.

Changes to be made include:
• Reversal of the direction of traffic flow along North Odeon Avenue
• Conversion of the south side lane along North Odeon Avenue into a bus bay
• Re-assignment of bus bays for JUTC, NTCS as well as rural buses
• Relocation of some bus stops
• Modification of traffic signals at Constant Spring Road and North Odeon Avenue to facilitate a pedestrian crossing
• Installation of traffic lights at the intersection of North Odeon Avenue and Eastwood Park Road

Other changes to be made include the exclusive bus lanes along Half Way Tree Road now being able to accommodate regular traffic while motorists who used to get to Constant Spring Road via North Odeon Avenue will now have to use Derrymore Road instead.

According to Minister Pickersgill, ‘It is our belief that these changes will result in:
• Noticeable reduction in congestion in Half Way Tree Square
• Improved pedestrian safety
• Reduction in travel time for each corridor
• Reduction in fuel consumption and reduction in congestion.”

‘We are going to interconnect the traffic signals from Dunrobin Avenue to Oxford Road so that they work together and allow a smoother flow of traffic. We are mindful of the benefits of technology to our operations…we are going to install Closed Circuit Cameras so that our engineers will be able to sit in their offices and monitor traffic flows within the designated area,’ he asserted.

Noting that the project will cost $6.9M, the Minister said that the changes will be enforced with the able assistance of the Police along with the Transport Authority and the Ministry’s/NWA’s Communications machinery which will keep the public updated with information.

And on a related matter, the JUTC buses which will be affected by the changes in terms of relocation of Bus Stops has sought to sensitise its customers about the changes. According to Public Relations Manager, Gwyneth Davidson, the traffic changes will see the relocation of two Bus Stops; the Eastwood Park Road Bus Stop will move to North Odeon Avenue and Bus Stops on Spencer James Avenue will now move to Suthermere Road.

She says that the erection of Bus Stops on North Odeon Avenue will include the installation of a guard rail and traffic signals that will make that area safer for passengers going from Half Way Tree to Constant Spring and the hill routes; Washington Boulevard, Red Hills and adjoining communities, Barbican and Norbrook.

Passengers going from Half Way Tree to August Town, Papine or Three Miles will get their buses on Suthermere Road. Those buses will continue from there to Hope Road without going into Spencer James Avenue.

Bus Stops to be relocated to Suthermere Road will be:

12 Express Portmore to Papine
51 H-W-T to Three Miles
70 Three Miles to Papine
72 Town to August Town
75 Six Miles to Papine

North Odeon Avenue

32 Town to Cooreville
33 Town to Six Miles
44 Town to Red Hills
46 Town to Chancery Street (Price Rite)
49 Town to Norbrook
52 Town to Golden Spring
53 Town to Above Rocks
54 Town to Border
74 Town to Barbican