KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Works Agency (NWA) says it will be introducing major changes to traffic movement in Half Way Tree, St Andrew at the Constant Spring Road/South Odeon Avenue and Constant Spring Road/ Hope Road intersections.

NWA manager of communication and customer services, Stephen Shaw, says the changes will result in an exclusive pedestrian signal phase and audible signals at these intersections.

The changes will come into effect on Sunday January 27 and are being implemented in coordination with the Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC), Ministry of Transport, Works & Housing Road Safety Unit and the National Road Safety Council.

Shaw says the changes that will be introduced are as follows:

Buses exiting the Half Way Tree Transportation Centre along Constant Spring Road will be restricted to right turning movement only. They will not be permitted to travel across Constant Spring Road to Suthermere Avenue.

When buses are exiting the Transport Centre onto Constant Spring Road, pedestrian movement will be allowed at the Constant Spring Road/ South Odeon Avenue and Constant Spring Road/Suthermere Avenue intersections while conflicting vehicular movement at both intersections will be stopped.

The traffic signal timing at both intersections will be adjusted to accommodate increased walk time for pedestrians.

Audible pedestrian signals will be installed at the pedestrian crossing at each intersection to assist the visually impaired.

Countdown pedestrian signals will be installed to inform pedestrians of available time to cross safely at each intersection.

Pedestrian crossings will be remarked and “Do Not Block Intersection yellow boxes” will be painted at the centre of each intersection in addition to lane usage signs on Constant Spring and Hope roads.

Shaw says that these traffic changes will be monitored for six months to determine their effectiveness in improving pedestrian safety at intersections in the Half Way Tree area.

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