Even though the New Providence Road Improvement Project is about 85 percent complete, motorists are being warned of at least three new major road closures in the eastern area of the island this summer.
Bernard Road, Village Road and Old Trail Road are also expected to be shut down for long stretches of time in the coming weeks, as underground infrastructure work takes place.
That work will commence as road work on Wulff Road, between Kemp Road and the Village Road roundabout, and on Soldier Road from the Village Road roundabout to the junction of Williams Way, is expected to wrap up at the end of this month, according to spokesperson for the project Shenique Albury.
The work on Bernard Road will begin in the first week of August, and is expected to continue in phases until the end of that month.
Albury said work on Village Road will commence near the end of August, with a partial closure at the Village Road roundabout.
Another closure for underground work is set to begin near the roundabout at Wulff and Marathon Roads around mid-July.
Albury said that work should be complete within two to three weeks.
Even more road closures are expected nearer to the end of summer.
A section of Old Trail Road from the junction of Prince Charles Drive, as well as Soldier Road between Prince Charles Drive and St. Andrew’s Road, will be closed in September for approximately three to four weeks.
Albury said the aim is to avoid closing entire junctions to avoid major disruptions in the area.
“I know sometimes there are concerns from persons in the public, such as why we open and close in smaller sections. But it is to mitigate against that impact of having the entire junction closed, which would be an even greater inconvenience to the public,” said Albury.
“We are hoping people are going to be able to see the gains that we are having in terms of the reduction in traffic congestion, improved travel times and safety on our streets once we’re finished with the substantial completion of all of the roadways.”
She admitted that it has been challenging to help the public appreciate the full scope of the project. However, she said it should be finished by the end of the year.
The project’s contractor, Jose Cartellone Construcciones Civiles (JCCC), who began working on 15 corridors when it started, is now working on six corridors.
Albury said Prince Charles Drive remains the only corridor that requires major underground work.
Royston Jones,
The Nassau Guardian
