Traffic system upgrade

New Jersey type barrier system. Photo courtesy wsdot.wa.gov

September 06, 2012:  

Cabinet has approved the sum of $44.6 million for the upgrade of existing traffic infrastructure.

Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Emmanuel George announced earlier today at the post Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s.

He said the Traffic Management Branch of the Ministry will be in charge of carrying out the upgrading works.

“There is the provision for the instillation of backup power in 50 of the signalised intersection. Zebra-crossing will be installed at 80 sites. New Jersey-type barrier systems will be installed on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway and the San Fernando Bypass, while cable barriers will be installed on the Uriah Butler Highway and Solomon Hochoy Highway,” George announced.

The Minister said the New Jersey- type barriers will cost $21 million, while the cable barriers will cost $18 million.

The zebra-crossings will cost $1.6 million, while the back-up power will cost $4 million, to ensure traffic lights are operational during power outages.

Meanwhile, George also announced that his Ministry is seeking the allocation of $45 million to pay contractors to clean the water ways and drains which the Ministry has determined needs cleaning to prevent any further flooding.

“We have to find the money to do the additional work. Having identified all the rivers that needs to be cleaned we have to ask for it from the Ministry of Finance. We are working behind the scenes for it to be cleaned. There are processes you have to go through to get the money. I cringe and I am fearful that we might get another event like that of August 11 but these are the processes which have to be followed,” George said.