Effective Thursday, July 2, 2009 the National Works Agency (NWA) will be implementing major traffic changes along Upper Waterloo Road in St. Andrew. The changes come as the NWA starts the construction of a multimillion dollar bridge to replace the Ford along the corridor.
Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw says the changes will see the implementation of a one way system. Vehicular movement within the vicinity of the Ford will also be managed by electronic signals.
Starting tomorrow, single lane traffic will be accommodated at the Ford as follows; there will be one way movement for southbound traffic (motorists heading from the direction of Shortwood Road/Grants Pen), between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Mondays to Fridays. The alternative route for northbound traffic during this period is west along West Kings House Road, north along Constant Spring Road, then east along Shortwood Road.
Northbound one-way movement across the Ford will be allowed during the afternoon peak period, between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p. m., Mondays to Fridays. The alternative route for southbound traffic during this period is west along Shortwood Road, then south along Constant Spring Road.
Two way movement across the Ford will be allowed during off peak periods. This movement will be controlled by the traffic lights.
Mr. Shaw says the new bridge, which is being built at a cost of just over one point nine two million US dollars (US$1.92) will be constructed to accommodate four lanes of traffic at a time.
He says the construction of the new bridge will be undertaken in two phases. Phase one is expected to be completed by the end of August and will see the creation of two lanes on the eastern side of the Ford.
Mr. Shaw says upon completion, traffic will be allowed to use these lanes, during which time phase two of the project will get underway. Phase two of the project will see the construction of the other two lanes to the west of the current Ford and should be completed by the end of December 2009.
