New roundabout in Warrens traffic flow plans

Placing a roundabout at the Friendship Terrace junction, close to PriceSmart, in addition to a separate right turn lane at the Eden Lodge junction, are two projects Ministry of Transport authorities are proposing to alleviate traffic flow woes in the Warrens, St Michael area, officials have revealed.

Acting Deputy Chief Technical Officer for Design Service in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Jason Bowen who told the media about the projects on Monday during a press briefing in the area, said the measures are pending approval by ministers.

Bowen said: “At the Highway 2 Jackson Roundabout we have to seek to improve the capacity at that roundabout for motorists approaching the junction from the north.

“We want to, also at the next junction, improve the Highway 2 Friendship Terrace Junction, which is the junction by PriceSmart where we are looking at putting in a rotary system to assist there.

“We are also looking at putting in a right turn lane along the Eden Lodge Junction. By putting in these structures along this route we are looking at reducing the delay to motorists along this section.”

Bowen said his department has been carrying out a traffic study in the area over the past few months to capture data on traffic flow along the ABC Highway section, including the Darcy Scott and Everton Weekes roundabouts, and along Highway 2,  stretching from Jackson to Eden Lodge.

He further explained: “We have also taken traffic data in the area of what we refer to as the Warrens link road, which is from Sol Gas Station coming right down to the Massy Supermarket area.

“And from that what we have found, there are a number of junctions, where they are not performing at what we would say, optimum levels. So we have developed a number of solutions to help improve the situation.”

Minister of Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill said the ministry has been focusing on several options to improve the flow of traffic in Warrens while focusing on traffic management counts and other mechanisms.

Gooding-Edghill said that while Warrens has developed into a town centre, the flow of traffic is critical for all who do business and live in the area.

“We are seeking to enhance the traffic flow in this area,” Gooding-Edghill said.

(AH)