MATTHEW Samuda moved Tuesday to ease fears that a multi-billion-dollar pipeline project on Old Hope Road, St Andrew, could snarl traffic when schools reopen next week.

During a tour of the project with engineers from the National Water Commission Samuda, the minister with responsibility for water, told the media that he was aware that there is anxiety about traffic arrangements for Old Hope Road, especially in the vicinity of Monroe Road and Wellington Drive, near to the Office of the Police Commissioner.

Major trenches have been on Old Hope Road to enable the laying of pipes that are expected to improve water supply to many citizens.

Up to Tuesday evening, the trenches remained open, but according to Samuda, they will be temporarily covered to prevent hazard and traffic impediments when school reopens.

“There is some significant anxiety around the traffic arrangements for this leg of the Monroe Road and Wellington Drive, Old Hope Road and Seaview pipeline expansion. As you can see, the works are on in earnest,” Samuda said, as he explained that the current works are part of phase two of a $1.2-billion upgrade to potable water and sewer infrastructure in that area.

“As we’ve seen in recent stresses on our water system, I think it is impatient of debate that these sorts of investments are not only necessary, but we need to increase the pace at which and the capacity at which we have to do many more at the same time so that we can modernise our water network and build resilience that is badly needed in the age of climate change,” he said.

“I understand the apprehension and the anxiety for persons who will have to traverse this corridor and indeed the roads which are off Old Hope Road that we would have laid these new pipes. We want to assure residents that after this weekend we’re moving to night work fully,” Samuda said.

He said that at some point the work teams will shut down the corridor on Sundays.

“The idea is to try and complete this phase, meaning Wellington and Monroe down to Retreat, by the end of September,” Samuda said.

“We are aiming to complete this entire project before the end of the year, meaning before the Christmas traffic, which is even more extreme than the back-to-school traffic,” Samuda said, adding that even though work will not take place on the pipeline during the daytime, the NWC will coordinate with the police to manage traffic in the area.

“We certainly have learned lessons of the previous leg of work on Wellington Drive and Monroe Road. The work is progressing well. It includes dedicated sewer lines. We’ve been putting in the lateral so that there won’t have to be further disturbance, either for potable water or for connection to the sewering.”

According to the minister, a major part of the current project will see dedicated pipelines from Mona to the Jamaica Defence Force Up Park Camp headquarters and Kingston Public Hospital to ensure both institutions have a constant supply of water.

“…So that even in times of crisis the army is able to operate and provide support nationally and the hospital is never cut off from water. I think all residents would applaud that level of resilient thinking or that pursuit of resilience in the thinking of the water commission,” Samuda said.