Measures implemented to ease traffic congestion on Sheriff St from road project

Dear Editor, Reference is made to a letter published in the Tuesday, 18th September, 2018 edition of the Stabroek News, under the headline, `There is a great need for better planning, execution of construction projects’. The Ministry wishes to respond to the claims which highlighted the Sheriff St-Mandela Avenue Road Project.

The Ministry of Public

Infrastructure and the Supervision Consultants, Egis International in association with SRKN’gineering are cognizant of potential traffic delays often posed by road enhancement projects and anticipated the traffic disruptions for commuters during the busy work week with especial consideration given to the re-opening of schools. The consultants therefore moved towards the implementation of several measures to ensure effective traffic management by the contractor SinoHydro Corporation Ltd during peak and off-peak periods including: The release of Public Notices by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure with the assistance of the Department of Public Information and Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Facebook page. This was coupled with the use of GTT’s Public Service Announcement advising the public of traffic disruption on Sheriff Street, the notification of the Police Commissioner in addition to several consultation meetings with residents and Mae’s School; including the Mayor and City Council as these were key elements in our attempt to better manage anticipated traffic congestion on Sheriff Street.

To date the following measures are still in place to manage congestion along the roadway:

* Restriction of work activities between 7:30hrs-9:30hrs at Second Avenue to Fourth Avenue, Subryanville.

* Restriction to the blocking of intersecting streets during peak hours (7:30hrs-9:30hrs and 15:00hrs-17:00hrs)

* Maintaining of two lanes of traffic during 7:30hrs to 9:30hrs, 12:00hrs to 13:00hrs and 15:00-16:00hrs.

* Restriction of trucks from offloading materials between 7:30hrs to 9:30hrs, 12:00hrs to 13:00hrs and 15:00hrs16:00hrs.

* Enforcement of submitted Traffic Management Plan which includes provision of flaggers, advance warning signs and barricades.

* Barricade protection for all open drains.

* Maintenance of 1m pedestrian walkways in work areas (demarcated by barriers)

* Engagement of the Guyana Police Force

* Advice to commuters to utilize other streets including Church Road

The above mentioned measures were implemented from Mondays to Fridays. Yours faithfully, Krest Cummings Public Relations Officer Ministry of Public Infrastructure