Dear Editor,

For the past 35 years my daily commute has been from Spanish Town to Kingston.

What used to be a fairly uneventful commute, with the exception of when road construction was being done, is now a daily nightmare.

My nightmare begins at the roundabout by Jose Marti Technical High School, where the road starts to deteriorate. Now this is a highway named after South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, who must be ashamed to know that his name is being used on such a terribly maintained road.

The surface is so uneven that motorists have to be dodging and darting all over the place. This is in addition to unruly, impatient motorists who switch lanes without signalling, not to mention the buses and taxis that stop anywhere they feel like without giving any notice.

But my nightmare worsens as I enter Spanish Town Road. This must be the worst dual carriageway in the world. Firstly, at the slightest hint of rain it floods, which results in delays and traffic jams. Then your PhD (pothole dodgers certificate) is required, or should I say CD for craters. Almost every 100 yards there is a crater, some larger and deeper than motor cars. This results in collisions, extra fuel being used, lateness for work, and excessively high stress levels.

Is it that the authorities are unaware of the state of this corridor or they simply don’t care?

I just hope they read this in time to save a life, or two.

Andrew Shaw

dollivera1@gmail.com