Rehabilitation work to start on Vigie Highway soon

Rehabilitation work is expected to be carried out on the Vigie Highway from the first week in April 2013.This was disclosed at a recent consultation held by Brent Bailey{{more}}, the country’s Chief Engineer, in conjunction with Commissioner of Police Keith Miller. The event was attended by residents of Arnos Vale and Fountain, who are within the immediate vicinity of the proposed rehabilitation site.

At the meeting, Nicolai Lewis, project engineer, Ministry of Transport and Works, said approximately 280 metres of rehabilitation work will be carried out from the Arnos Vale Roundabout to Paris Tailor’s Shop, while an additional 170 metres will be done from the bridge bar at the top of the Vigie Highway to the entrance of the Villa/Fountain Gap.

This project is expected to be carried out over a 21-week period. During that time, existing pavement and drains will be removed to facilitate the construction of new drains, sidewalks, repaving of the road and the reinstating of a culvert near to the bridge bar, said Lewis.

A drain will also be constructed from the Arnos Vale Roundabout to the entrance of Robinson Hill, Arnos Vale, to mitigate the constraints caused by flooding at the Roundabout. Lewis also mentioned that the Roundabout will be extended by 6.5 metres to allow for better navigation.

The project is expected to commence with extensive drainage work on the left section of the road leading from the Arnos Vale Roundabout to Paris Tailor’s Shop. On completion of this drain, workmen will proceed to construct a drain and sidewalk on the opposite side of the road before pavement work is done.

Bailey explained that during the first five weeks of the project, there is going to be one lane of traffic on the Vigie Highway, allowing regular cars to travel both ways. Omnibuses will not be allowed to use the route.

Bailey suggested that once the road is declared closed for traffic, motorists travelling from Mesopotamia to Kingstown will be advised to go through Belair and exit at the road near to KFC Arnos Vale or the gap above Public Works, Arnos Vale. Motorists travelling from Kingstown and are desirous of travelling the Mesopotamia route will be advised to use the Villa/Fountain road, via the Arnos Vale/Villa main road.

Motorists travelling from Mesopotamia to Kingstown will be allowed to travel all the way downwards, via St Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC); however, vehicles travelling upwards along the same route will only be allowed to get as far as the Derricks’ residence.

Commissioner of Police Keith Miller told the residents at the consultation that sometimes one has to suffer a little inconvenience for the greater good.

Miller encouraged motorists to comply with the instructions given to them by the construction team. He also noted that police officers will be assisting in ensuring that the traffic flows smoothly.

The COP also used the opportunity to announce that the Traffic Regulations and Traffic Act are before the Attorney General, who will be making a number of amendments.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Commissioner of Police Michael Charles; Head of the Traffic Department Superintendent Kenneth John; Divisional Commander of the South Central District Superintendent Carlos Sampson; and Deputy Head of the Police Public Relations and Complaints Department Inspector Hawkins Nanton.(Police Public Relations)