KINGSTON, Jamaica — Seventy per cent of the 293 respondents to a recent OBSERVER ONLINE poll say that they are pleased with the Corporate Area road improvements despite the inconveniences.

Despite a slight decrease over recent weeks, traffic congestion is still a main feature for commuters since the National Works Agency (NWA) unveiled traffic changes in light of major road improvements taking place across the Capital City.

Under the Hagley Park Road Improvement Project, approximately 3.7 kilometres of roadway — between Maxfield Avenue and Portia Simpson Miller Square — is being widened. The number of available lanes will move from two to four and will also see the construction of two overpass bridges, the installation of sidewalks and drains, and the improvement and signalisation of several intersections.

And Constant Spring Road is being widened to four lanes from Manor Park to Eastwood Park Road. Major road works and the construction of an overpass are also being done along Mandela Highway in the vicinity of Ferry/Six Miles.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Daryl Vaz, in September said the Government was fully aware of the concerns of the motoring public and commuters, and although it is a vexed issue, the benefits will far outweigh the negatives.

Vaz said the improvement projects that are being undertaken simultaneously are based on several conditions with the lending agency.

“That loan had timelines, it had performance clauses, and what we found is that a number of the projects were not as advanced as they should have been, especially the major projects that were to be carried out by China Harbour Engineering Company. I speak specifically to Mandela Highway, Constant Spring Road, Hagley Park Road and… the Three Miles Bypass. We have a timeline in which to complete it. If not, the loan will be withdrawn and what we will have is unfinished infrastructure which we cannot afford,” he said.