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.
Negril.com - For the vacation that never ends!
Folks who are reluctant to change should remember, when you came to Negril the 1st time in say 85 the old timers then looked at YOU as change. Dang tourist are gonna change Negril.
I am in Negril now and staying @ Rondel and after 2 days we commented on how it no longer sounds like a race track out there.
I have walked to Shamrock @ least 6 times and they are definetly driving slower. I have only heard one screaming motorcycle speed by but that was @ 3:00 am.
As someone who was in the middle of an accident while walking, I welcome the sidewalks whole heartedly. Traffic lights are a necessary evil as traffic volumes increase. I know it changes Negril and the beach road, but Negril is so busy now I think it's needed. Hopefully it will save some young Jamaican lives on the road as well...
Happy to see this....now I don't have to worry about feeling that "wind" when a car passes within inches of me...always made me nervous.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
J.R.R Tolkien
More safety while walking is a good thing!
Sidewalks on the West End Road...now that would be REALLY good news.
Papa,
The sidewalks for the West End will be the focus once the beach road is done!
Good news indeed!
Negril.com - For the vacation that never ends!
I used to walk the road from town back to the mid beach area...I stopped doing that several years ago and at my first opportunity I now cut through to the beach. Back in the day the pot holes were a good thing and kept traffic slowed down a bit. Once the "race track" was re surfaced and the traffic picked up it just got too scary....That feeling has been validated by some terrible accidents since the average speed picked up with the good surface...The beach road is about 5 miles long...If traffic moves at 35 MPh vs sometimes 60 MPH it saves all of about 3 minutes and the risk is not worth it..
BE A TRAVELR
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