Traffic lights installed at major Portmore intersection

 

Motorists in Portmore, St. Catherine are divided on whether signalising of a major intersection will ease traffic congestion and reduce crashes at a hot spot. 

 

The traffic lights were switched on Wednesday at the intersection of George Lee Boulevard, Portmore Drive and West Parade. 

 

The initiative is part of a public-private partnership between the government and West Indies home contractors. 

 

As part of its permit to construct the gated community of Chester Creek in Westchester, Wihcon widened the road at the intersection and assisted with funding for the installation of the traffic lights.

 

Following the commissioning ceremony, Omar, a transport operator, told Radio Jamaica News that the traffic signal is not a solution to the challenges at the intersection.

 

"I feel like this traffic light is a foolish light because the other supply varieties are up right here. The road is very clustered. You see when school open, coming next week when buss, we going have a problem. Bare traffic. This never needed. Accident hardly happen here suh enuh. Accident mostly happen a Waterford. Here suh is not really a accident area," he claimed.

 

But another transport operator, Mr. Brown, said the signal at the intersection was long overdue to help regulate traffic in the area.

 

Portmore's Mayor Leon Thomas insisted the traffic lights were well needed.

 

"When you look at the number of accidents that take place at this intersection and the loss of life and loss of limb that take place here, and knowing that you are going to turn on the light this morning, it was a feeling that I not even can describe," he gushed. 

 

Mr. Thomas said the installation of the traffic lights is the result of strong lobbying by the Portmore Municipal Corporation.

 

He said as an added layer of security and accountability for motorists, more closed circuit television cameras are to be installed at intersections across the municipality.

 

Cameras have been placed at Bayside, Naggo Head and Route 85.