Effective, this Monday, December 10, 2018 changes will be made to the flow of traffic along the Portmore Toll Road, where it intersects with Marcus Garvey Drive. Buses travelling from the direction of Portmore will not be allowed to set down passengers in the vicinity of the overhead bridge.
Manager, Communication and Customer Services at the National Works Agency (NWA), Stephen Shaw says that the change is being made as the Agency tries to address the issue of the significant back-up along the Portmore Toll.
The NWA, Police, Trans-Jamaica Highway and the National Road Operating and Construction Company (NROCC) have been meeting on the issue of the traffic snarls along the Portmore Toll., especially since the opening of the new Chesterfield Road.
Mr. Shaw says based on observations, it has been determined that a significant cause of the backup has been the constant interruptions by pedestrians of the vehicular traffic flow. The buses which are operated by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company and its franchise holders have been setting down passengers near the bridge. The majority of these passengers then walk across the traffic as they head across the median to the Port.
Consultations have been had with the JUTC and the decision made to have all buses travel through the Port, where they will properly set down passengers who are heading into that area. No stopping will therefore be allowed on the Toll Road. Persons wishing to disembark vehicles in order to head in the Three Miles direction will be allowed to do so, on the section of Marcus Garvey Drive that leads to that area.
Mr. Shaw says that the NWA is contemplating other changes, as it seeks to optimise the use of both the Portmore Toll and Chesterfield Drive. He is urging especially pedestrians desist from climbing the median along the Portmore Toll, as they are putting themselves at risk of injury or death.
