Little Diamond/Prospect bridge rehab…– 1 ½ hrs from Craig to Diamond, no proper police supervisionRehabilitation of a key bridge at Little Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara is creating extremely long traffic build-ups along that corridor, and government said yesterday that it will be looking at ways to ease the congestion.The traffic situation at Little Diamond/Prospect yesterday morning.Over the past few weeks, Kaieteur News has been receiving numerous complaints of traffic jams on the East Bank of Demerara thoroughfare, especially in the morning, between 07:00 and 09:00hrs.Yesterday, traffic stretched as far as Craig, a village located more than a mile away from the bridge being rehabilitated.Drivers claimed that they were in the line for more than two hours and while they could understand that the construction is underway, there were still a few things they opined that could be done to ease the congestion.“Dey tek a pile of stones and lef it right by where dey build a two-lane passageway. You could imagine how slow vehicles got to be to steer around it,” an irate 4×4 driver said.According to another driver, who works at a city bank, the alternative bypass built to allow the free flow of traffic is also a source of problems for commuters who are now literally forced to leave at least an hour earlier than usual to come to the city.“You gotta understand that the roadway is the one of de most important in de whole country. Dem got two new schemes at Diamond (and Grove) plus people coming from de airport. All we asking is for the roadway side by the bridge that they build to be a little more smoother,” said a driver with a sand-laden truck.Additionally, there were several complaints on the actual state of the bypass, which was filled with potholes.According to another driver, the situation has been that way for the past two months with the situation chaotic in the morning.The bridge is one of several between Timehri and Rosignol,Wholesale Jerseys China, that are being widened and rehabilitated“You gotta be a driver to feel de frustration. De minibuses and taxis boring in an out and through all the side streets and is madness. I been in this line from Diamond traffic lights for a hour and 25 minutes. Yo think that right, eh?”Still, there were calls for a police presence, especially in the morning when there is the ‘rush hour’.The Little Diamond/Prospect bridge is one of several from Timehri to Rosignol that are being widened and rehabilitated under a government/IDB program.Yesterday, Minister of Public Works and Transport, Robeson Benn, assured that he will be looking into the complaints and disclosed that over the past weekend he was at the construction site.During the inspection, the Minister noted that there were some cases of vehicles speeding into the bypass area, proving a danger to workers there.“So yes, we will be looking into it to ensure that there are no unwanted delays while at the same time ensuring that the safety issue is addressed.”Work on the bridge is being carried out by R. Bassoo and Sons.
