The completion of the New Providence Road Improvement Project is well underway and in the not too distant future the driving public will be experiencing a new set of improved road conditions that will help improve traffic flows and reduce journey times.
A number of the road corridors include the construction of roundabouts which were introduced into the network a number of years ago.
Since that time, drivers have become familiar as to how these rotary systems operate and when used properly provide, for the most part, free flow conditions.
The introduction of more roundabouts on our roads should not represent any problem to road users since most are four legged roundabouts similar to those encountered on the Tonique Darling Highway.
On Corridor 5, the link between Saunders Beach and JFK Drive/Thompson Boulevard, a new four legged roundabout is being constructed in its junction with Turnquest Avenue and Oakes Field Distributor.
At the junction of Corridor 5 with West Bay Street, adjacent to Saunders Beach another four legged roundabout is nearing completion.
Although four legged, one of the legs of the roundabout only provides access to new beautification, facilities and parking area adjacent to Saunders Beach.
In order to improve traffic flow conditions at the presently signalized intersections of John F. Kennedy Drive and Bethel Avenue and Farrington Road and Thompson Boulevard and to accommodate the newly constructed link from West Bay Street (Corridor 5) a new six legged Roundabout is under construction and is due to be opened to the traffic in August, 2010.
This six legged roundabout is the first of its kind to be introduced to our roads and therefore the Ministry of Works and Transport is very conscious of the need to inform road users well in advance of its coming into operation so that that they know how to use it.
The Ministry plans to hold a series of information meetings at which it will explain in detail how for example what a driver needs to do when traveling from JFK Drive to Bethel Avenue (North), from Thompson Boulevard to Farrington Road etc., etc.
These meetings will also be supplemented by (fliers, handouts, similar to those distributed at the time the Baillou Hill Road /East Street roundabout was introduced) and larger information drawings will be displayed at a number of locations including the Post Offices, Malls, schools, Ministry Buildings and sent to private sector companies for display in their foyers.
In addition, Ministry staff will appear on both radio and television and take calls from the general public.
Flyers will be distributed via a major e-blast to thousands of e-mail addresses and will also be uploaded onto the Ministry website for easy access by the general public.
Through such a comprehensive outreach campaign, although there will always be teething problems, the Ministry anticipate a smooth introduction of all the new roundabouts.
The success of the campaign will only be achieved through the cooperation of the driving public for which the road improvements are being provided.
Bahamas Information Services
