OM NOON?TOMORROW, part of Broad Street will be open to two-way traffic.
The change has been made, with other traffic flow changes, to ease the enormous traffic congestion caused by closure of the Wharf Road which was knocked out of commission by Tropical Storm Tomas last weekend.
Many motorists experienced gridlock yesterday evening on roads leading into the City centre because the Wharf Road linking busy eastern and western areas of Bridgetown could not be used.
One of the changes announced by the Ministry of Transport and Works will allow motorists to travel “down” Broad Street, from the junction with Shepherd Street (where First Caribbean Bank is located) or from Heroes Square (by Lord Nelson’s statue).
Motorists will be able to travel east to west to the junction with Prince William Henry Street (by the Three-Dollar Store), and turn left and drive to Parry Street and then turn right and head towards Hincks Street. Right turns from upper Broad Street into Prince William Henry will also be allowed.
Motorists travelling “up” Broad Street (west to east) will still be able to turn left at Prince William Henry Street and continue as is now the case, using Coleridge Street.
Additionally, motorists travelling on James Street will be able to travel from the upper section through the Coleridge Street intersection to the lower section. The “turn right only” rule at the intersection is being temporarily removed.
Parking along the streets will however be prohibited and deliveries to business places must be restricted to off-peak times.
A release from the Ministry of Transport and Works said police would be available during peak hours to help facilitate traffic flow.
Meanwhile, a report on the damage at the Wharf Road is now in the Government’s hands.
In a telephone interview, Minister of Transport and Works John Boyce told the SATURDAY?SUN that the coastal engineer’s report had been received and it was now time to “put our heads together with the technical people” to ease traffic congestion as soon as possible.
The minister is scheduled to tour the affected area on Monday before speaking to the news media.
Police public relations officer Inspector David Welch has appealed to motorists to select their routes early and not to park illegally. (CA/HM)