Traffic on Mandela Highway on September 3, 2018 - (Gleaner photo)
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A commuter on Mandela Highway and Superintendent Courtney Coubrie
The authorities' carefully crafted traffic plans for the Mandela Highway fell apart Tuesday morning, with the reopening of the Hydel Group of Schools at Ferry in St. Catherine, bringing vehicles to a virtual halt.
The police force and the National Works Agency (NWA) on Monday received high marks for traffic management throughout the Corporate Area, with many saying the traffic jam they had anticipated had not materialised.
However, with the reopening of Hydel Group of Schools, there were more vehicles, and more delays for commuters from Spanish Town and Portmore.
Motorists who were trapped in the traffic deadlock called for the authorities to address the situation, with one commuter suggesting a reintroduction of the bus lane.
In the meantime, Superintendent Courtney Coubrie, head of operations for traffic, said in addition to the reopening of Hydel, there were several other factors which led to the pile-up on Mandela Highway.
He cited the constant interruption as Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) and coaster buses as well as taxi operators stopped in the left lane to set down passengers, who then had to cross to get to Hydel.
Added to that, he said, was more interruption where traffic going westward had to go across unto Tom Cringle Avenue, disrupting eastbound traffic.
Superintendent Coubrie said the police later instituted temporary measures to ease the congestion.
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