Major upgrades costing more than $500,000 are expected to begin immediately on the thoroughfare between Shirley and Mackey streets – as part of a joint venture between the Ministry of Works and Kerzner International.
This announcement was made yesterday during a contract signing ceremony at the site of the work, which is expected to be finished in 90 days.
Four local companies were awarded contracts: R and M Trucking received a $8,500 contract to demolish the Milkstand; Simmons Construction and Heavy Equipment was given a $210,000 contract; VC Construction was given a $139,000 contract for the completion of the concrete and drainage work and High Power International has been contracted to upgrade the traffic signals.
Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna Martin explained that the undertaking is an essential one, that seeks to address the “enormous” daily traffic issue at the junction during peak hours.
“This is one step in the ladder of a concerted effort to ensure that a11 of the enormous challenges we face in New Providence – ï¾ with economic development; the increase in vehicle ownership, the increase in population – that we are doing all that we can to ensure so far as possible that quality of life as it relates to our streets is maximised,” Mrs Hanna-Martin said.
She said the demolition of the Milkstand, a restaurant on the northern corner of the intersection, “is symbolic of our movement from one era into another. So we hope that at the end of the contractual work, it will facilitate the smooth flow of traffic and enhance to some extent the flow throughout New Providence.”
She said the Ministry of Transport is engaged in a number of initiatives to address traffic issues in the island.
Ed Fields, vice president of public affairs for Kerzner International that along with Atlantis guests, the company’s nearly 7,000 employees use the route when travelling to and from work.
“I made a suggestion to Mr Sol Kerzner that we should consider acquiring some land in this area so that we can make a merge lane. But subsequent to that, I touched basis with Mr Roberts (the minister of works) and asked him if he could gave me a couple of hours and we drove around the island and I was pointing out a couple of things to him, one of which was this corner here at Mackey Street; and it was Mr Roberts who brought to my attention that the building here was actually owned by the government,” Mr Fields said.
Minister works Bradley Roberts said Kerzner International has agreed to give $250,000 directly to the government.
In addition to the road work construction cost, Kerzner has also contributed more than $60,000 for the design works and management, along with and $30,000 for the relocation of the vendor who was a tenant in the Milkstand building.
Mr Roberts said once the projected is completed ,the benefits will be realised immediately.
Officials are also attempting to address other junctures that may be causing delays in traffic. Some intersections already identified are at Fox Hill Road and Joe Farrington Road; Faith Avenue and Cow Pen Road; East Street and Bamboo Boulevard; and Johnson Road and East Bay Street.
By ROYANNE FORBES-DARVILLE, Tribune Staff Writer
