KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Works Agency (NWA) has announced that there are more changes to be made to the flow of traffic along the Mandela Highway including the closure of a section of the eastbound carriageway effective Saturday, April 22.

In a press release today, Manager, Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw said that the section of the Mandela leading into Kingston, between the off-ramp of the East/West Highway and the Ferry Police Station will be closed.

Eastbound traffic (heading into Kingston) will therefore be diverted. The westbound carriageway, which has been widened to four lanes will accommodate both eastbound and westbound traffic.

Shaw added that the changes will also be made with how passengers are set down on the road. A lay-by is being created to facilitate buses heading from the direction of Kingston with passengers whose destination is the Ferry community. These include students of the Hydel Group of Schools and the business establishments along the corridor.

The lay-by is being created in the vicinity of the Ferry Police Station and should be used by all bus operators, including the JUTC. Persons who disobey risk being prosecuted by the police, the NWA warned.

“Motorists travelling from the direction of Kingston who wish to access the schools or businesses in the Ferry community will be allowed to make a turn in the vicinity of the Ferry Police Station”, Shaw explained, adding that persons travelling from the direction of Spanish Town towards Kingston, but who wish to turn around will be permitted to do so at the intersection of John Pringle Road and the Mandela Highway.

The release stated that the changes are being made in order to facilitate the road being lifted and for additional drainage features to be installed.

The Mandela Highway Project, which is now 40 per cent complete, is being done at a cost of US$63 – million. The project is slated to be completed in the summer of 2018.