KINGSTON, Jamaica — Managing Director of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) Paul Abrahams is concerned that there was a lack of consultation with the State-run bus company about another round of traffic changes implemented by the National Works Agency (NWA) along the Mandela Highway yesterday.

Abrahams said while the improvement work is necessary, it appears no provision has been made for the pickup and set down of passengers, which is a significant risk to commuters in and around the Ferry community. 

According to NWA, eastbound traffic (from Spanish town to Kingston) has been diverted onto the new section of the roadway between the Highway 2000 east-west off-ramp and Tom Cringle Drive.

Meanwhile, traffic heading from Kingston was also diverted onto the new section of the roadway. However, motorists wishing to access businesses in the Ferry area such as the Hydel Group of Schools, the police station and the Ferry community must turn at Tom Cringle Drive. 

As such, the JUTC is appealing to commuters and motorists to be very vigilant when using the busy thoroughfare and to obey the directives of the police, flagmen and other personnel who have been tasked with managing traffic flow while the roadworks continue.

The bus company said the NWA has also been asked to erect road signs as part of the overall safety plan.

Mandela Highway is being expanded to facilitate six lanes between Six Miles and the on and off ramps of Highway 2000, 

while a section of the roadway is being raised. The work, which began in August 2016, is to be completed in August.