An analysis done by engineers has determined that there are now 30-second delays as opposed to the previous 80 seconds. The said analysis also recommends that traffic signals be installed west-bound to Kitty Public Road and north-bound to JB Chandisingh Street. The lights will only be utilised during peak hours.
Accordingly, those found disregarding the rules will be charged. “My plea is use the roundabout responsibly,” Minister Patterson said.
He told invitees to the opening ceremony, among them Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, that Monday’s opening symbolises much more than that, as it’s part of “a long and well-thought-out programme”.
PRE-ROUNDABOUT Before the roundabout was constructed, Carifesta Avenue was upgraded. The project was completed in 2016 by H. Nauth and Sons to the tune of $147M.
On completion of the Carifesta Avenue upgrades, the MOPI then began replacing all of the pipe works in the area in 2017. This project was awarded to Colin Talbot. The contractor installed new culverts, along with pipes along Vlissengen Road, Kitty and Carifesta Avenue to assist with improving the drainage in the area.
That aside, the Minister noted that the signing of the contract for the road project from Better Hope to Belfield serves as part of his ministry’s road improvement project. The Kitty roundabout forms part and parcel of that project. Completed by Hardware Supplies and Construction Services at a cost of $79M, the Minister said there are still a few outstanding items to be included within the environs of the roundabout.
“It is finished, but we have some outstanding items. We have the landscaping to complete; an area in the centre of the roundabout.
“After immense discussion, we have decided that the landscaping will depict flowers of the Caribbean in keeping with Carifesta Avenue,” Patterson said, adding that the government will be engaging suitable private sector partners to work with it on the project through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
ADDITIONAL WORKS Additionally, the Ministry has to install traffic lights, as well as paint the median and curbs. The final part of the project, Patterson disclosed, would be the waterfront development from Kitty to behind the Pegasus Hotel. He said the area at reference, which is a popular tourist attraction and hangout spot for Guyanese, will be upgraded to a commercial space, with kiosks among other facilities.
A consultant has been awarded the contract to conduct a study on this leg of the development, and according to Patterson, the first report is expected in October this year. That report is expected to detail, among other things, the cost to have the plan executed, and the scope of work to be done.
“We didn’t want to rush it; we want to do studies,” the minister said, indicating that he is hoping that the project will begin next year and conclude by late 2019.
MORE ROUNDABOUTS Meanwhile, the MOPI said that while the Kitty roundabout is the first one to have been completed, two others are expected to be completed during the course of this year and 2019. One is to be located at the Timehri Junction on the East Bank Demerara (EBD), and the other at the Mandela-Sheriff Street area.
Work has reportedly begun at the Timehri Junction, with Geico being awarded the contract for $74M. Minister Patterson also reported that his ministry is in receipt of some 1500 brand new LED street lights, which will soon be installed all across the country. A second batch of LED lights is expected in country next week.
Over in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), the island of Wakenaam, and the stretch of road from Supenaam to Anna Regina will have their lights installed within the next six weeks, while other areas which stand to benefit are Vreed-en-Hoop to Philander, Bourda Market Square, Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Ithaca in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Mackenzie and Wismar in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and Palmyra in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Other communities will benefit from the second batch of LED lights.
Minister Patterson disclosed that due to the spate of road accidents, his ministry will only be using thermoplastic paints when striping the roadways. “We are doing it country-wide, and we will be re-striping the country,” he said.
ALLOWANCES The roundabout allows for reduced delays, reduced travel times and fuel consumption, and is also geared at reducing the severity of collisions. The current intersection at the roundabout has three stages of movement, and five stages of signalisation. In the first stage of movement, vehicles turning right from Carifesta Avenue are allowed to do so, while vehicles heading west along the Kitty Public Road have to yield before making a right turn.
In the second stage, vehicles that were previously turning right from Carifesta Avenue onto Vlissengen Road will now have to stop and allow vehicles to go to Kitty Public Road. In the final stage, vehicles heading north along JB Chandisingh Street and turning onto the Rupert Craig Highway will now be allowed to; as a consequence, vehicles heading west and east will be required to stop.
Guyana Chronicle report.
