Amid safety concerns, Green Island High welcomes new traffic lights
GREEN ISLAND, Hanover — Maxine Evans, principal of Green Island High School, has welcomed the installation of a traffic signal on the main road leading to the entrance of the school.
The traffic signal, which was sponsored by Princess Hotels and Resorts in Green Island, is one of two signals installed, aimed at assisting with safety in the area. The other is located on an entrance road leading to the hotel.
Both traffic signals are valued at approximately $26 million.
“Anything that is added to our environment that is going to impact the safety of civilians, and more so students, is always welcome by the school,” said Evans.
“Over the years, we have had children who died right at the school gate. So something like this is welcomed.”
Enrico Pezzoli, general manager of Princess Hotels and Resorts, said the feedback has been positive.
“A few days ago, I was in a meeting with the school principal and the CEO [board chairman] of Green Island High School, and they obviously are very pleased about these traffic light installations. And we are also very happy because it’s a tricky point, that one…I consider it necessary to have regulation there through a traffic light,” said Pezzoli.
Pezzoli said the hotel came up with the idea during the planning and construction stages. Princess officially opened its doors to the public last December.
“It’s a big high school, it has around 1,600 students, and considering the increase in traffic on the road because of the hotel, we immediately thought it was a very good idea to speak to the authorities and request the installation of traffic lights to consider having a safe environment there for both the students and all the traffic while buses with guests pull in and out from the [hotel] road,” stated Pezzoli.
The traffic signals are part of a wider project that involves the installation of pedestrian facilities, road widening, road markings, the installation of road signs, and the construction of pedestrian signals. The project is being implemented by the National Works Agency.
Widened roadway and the newly installed traffic signal leading to the Princess Grand Jamaica Hotel. (Photos: Anthony Lewis)
