I agree fully-but it is some positive progress that will hopefully prevent another unnecessary tragedy to some poor soul...Yes, Negril is certainly changing-wonder what it will be like in another 10 years???Originally Posted by Irie John
I'm glad Port Antonio has still kept all its old charm and not become anything like Negril is growing into to...But still, Negril certainly has many good-points and reasons for me to go back and visit-as i'm sure many other people feel the same way...
Last edited by suzengrace; 03-26-2013 at 03:06 AM.
" Ones destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things." (Henry Miller)
This progress is not unique to Negril. Port Antonio has gone through its share of road improvements over the years - when I lived there in the mid 90's, it used to be a nightmare to try and get through PA - now it is a breeze with the new road and traffic improvements they have made. So much has changed there!
The sidewalks and medians in Negril are not 3 to 4 inches but more in the 6 to 8 inch range in height. The drivers will stay off them as hitting them will destroy their vehicles. The new traffic lights and medians will bring a notable change to the driving habits along the beach road. Once the work is finished on the beach road - focus will be on the West End Road. And of course law enforcement will be handing out tickets as the drivers get used to the new changes coming. We have seen some cars impounded even while the construction is underway when drivers did not obey the flagmen and "slow" signs.
For more details about all the improvements on the way, here are two articles from December outlining the plans that are already underway - one from the Mirror and one from the Observer.
http://www.westernmirror.com/index.p...link/5929.html
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/weste...egril_13201052
As stated, the issue has been in development for years. As with any major roadway infrastructure changes, there had to be the proper studies, measures and various solutions discussed before implementing any such changes. Improperly implemented changes can lead to other unexpected issues and problems that would then need to be dealt with.
Traffic control measures such as the traffic lights and medians that are in the works are much preferable to the speed bumps and humps being discussed here by some. As any city planner or road planning website will mention, putting speed bumps or humps on any major thoroughfare (which the beach road is) is not only impractical but also extremely dangerous. While Norman Manley Blvd is a major artery for western Jamaica, it is also used as an emergency route for the surrounding areas and to place such measures as speed bumps on the road is dangerous for emergency vehicles and should never be used. All knowledgeable city planners and road developers know this simple fact. To do so can cost lives instead of saving them.
As for pedestrians, there is still need to use the common sense practice of "stop, look and listen" and "look both ways" before you cross the street that we all learned as children.
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