MORANT BAY, St Thomas — Even as the police appeal to residents to avoid driving recklessly on the newly constructed highway in St Thomas, they have agreed with the local authorities that the road lacks signage in some areas.

“We have seen accidents in recent times because of the lack of safety signs on the roads. For example, a hole is being dug for a specific reason and there’s no sign indicating that there’s work happening 200 metres before reaching or seeing that hole,” Councillor Hubert Williams (People’s National Party, White Horses Division) complained during Thursday’s monthly meeting of St Thomas Municipal Corporation.

He insisted that sections of the roadway do not facilitate safe driving as he has seen where lanes are being merged due to construction, but there is no signage to prepare motorists.

Deputy superintendent of police in St Thomas, O’Neil Thompson said they are aware of this issue and they, too, are alarmed.

“We have had conversations with the contractors from time to time. We are also concerned about the improper signage and have also brought it to their attention. We will continue to dialogue with them to see how best they can secure those areas which are considered a hazard on the road,” he said.

Councillor Ludlow Mathison (People’s National Party, Bath Division) also shared his concerns about the issue.

“I remember passing the jerk centre in Lyssons, and I saw a car that was stuck in a hole resulting from this issue of improper signage,” he told the meeting.

He also spoke of sudden changes being made to the road without any effort to notify users. He cited occasions when an area that is used on one leg of a journey is dug up on the return leg.

Deputy Superintendent of Police O’Neil Thompson addresses Thursday’s meeting of St Thomas Municipal Corporation. (Photos: Ashagaye Mullings)

Work on the St Thomas leg for the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) has been fraught with challenges. There were delays during construction and residents complained bitterly about dust and dislocation. In February, Prime Minster Andrew Holness opened the 17-kilometre four-lane highway from Harbour View to Yallahs Bridge in St Thomas.

In the weeks thereafter there was a flurry of complaints about stray cattle and lack of proper signage. The contractors have indicated that the theft of fencing and signs has contributed to these challenges.

Construction on the SCHIP began in January 2017 and is now slated to end in March 2025.