News

The children are back at school and all over Barbados motorists using the ABC Highway are breathing a collective sigh of relief.

While there is still some work to be done, the opening of four lanes between the Everton Weekes Roundabout in Warrens and the Bussa Roundabout at Haggatt Hall brought major relief to motorists who began their journey expecting the usual crush.

Prior to yesterday’s increase in traffic the Election RECORD took to the highway for the reactions of motorists and business people to the opening of the stretch of road.

Commenting on the improved flow of traffic on the stretch of road, a manager at one of the outlets at Mall International at Haggatt Hall, said: “I find (driving to Haggatt Hall) very convenient with the freer flow of traffic allowing me to get to work a lot quicker. In my opinion the construction of the two additional lanes is a very, very good idea. There are no traffic jams; the flow of traffic is very free. I am sorry the expansion would not extend to the airport because it is a very good idea.”

Another motorist from Dayrells Road, Christ Church, pointed out that since the four lanes were opened he had found that the flow of traffic had freed-up considerably. He uses the highway daily to get to and from work.

Even during the peak Christmas season, he added, the flow of traffic was steady. The motorist anticipated that when the highway was fully completed it would work even better.

“I find that traveling between Warrens and Haggatt Hall is very smooth. I welcome the expansion of the road,” a young security guard at Mall International explained. Another motorist said: “I travel the stretch of the road early in the mornings, and I welcome the expansion. It is a lot better than before and you should always welcome a change for the better. I feel when the work is completed the rush hours will be a lot better.”

Over at Warrens a young motorist welcomed the additional lanes but said: “Drivers have to exercise more care when using the stretch of road because with the four lanes now in place, training is necessary … I definitely look forward to the completion of the project. A businessman who runs a computer repair service at Warrens said: “So far the traffic flow has eased up considerably. The traffic flows freely on mornings… I am looking forward to its completion. So far it has helped businesses in the area.”

A worker at H & B Hardware in Warrens welcomed the expansion but said: “I would say that there has been some improvement in the flow of traffic, but there is only one thing I have noticed: a lot of people are not adhering to the speed limit and are driving a bit recklessly on the highway. I am looking forward to the completion of the project because already there has been a vast improvement. I believe that with the construction of the fly-overs, the bottlenecks at the roundabouts will be eliminated.”