Workmen continue to carry out construction on Fontabelle, St Michael. Motorists should approach with caution.

by JULIA RAWLINS-BENTHAM

SNAKING LONG LINES of traffic, blaring horns, frustrated motorists and numerous school children on the road all across Barbados, will set the scene, come Monday morning.

When the 2006-2007 school year starts, the moderately free flow of traffic experienced over the summer months when schools were on recess will all be a memory.

Instead, tempers are likely to flare, as the 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. time on clocks will always be in focus, and every minute will count.

Compounding the problem is on-going construction and dust as 40 projects costing $15 million are being undertaken in preparation for next year's Cricket World Cup.

This work being done on major city roads will create a bottleneck effect as motorists from the north and south of the island enter The City.

Those coming out of the south and east of Barbados can expect to find traffic jams from as far as the Garfield Sobers and Top Rock roundabouts.

In addition, traffic along the South Coast, Collymore Rock as well as vehicles travelling across Highway 2A can also expect to drive at snail pace, leading into the City.

Motorists using Highway 2A should be aware of the on-going Operation Free Flow where heavy excavation and compacting work is continuing on the widening of the area between Everton Weekes and the Norman Niles roundabouts.

Officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport advised motorists that while there was no disruption along that way, they should follow the directions of the flag personnel, and use extreme caution when approaching the work sites.

Meanwhile, those coming from the north of the island along Redman's Village, Mile-And-A-Quarter or travelling through Speightstown, can also expect a bumper-to-bumper flow as they near the City.

However, it is in the St Michael area that severe traffic congestion can be expected, especially with roads such as Hindsbury Road, and the area from Black Rock to Eagle Hall, Fontabelle and Cheapside, under heavy construction.

Ministry officials are advising drivers to use Bank Hall Main Road and Prescod Bottom, to gain access to the Hindsbury Primary School and businesses in the area.

Workmen are currently laying tracks for the National Petroleum Corporation to install gas lines. This work is expected to conclude on December 29.

Travelling from Town Hall along Fontabelle to Holborn Circle, at the traffic lights by DaCosta Mannings, is also undergoing road works and is to be paved by the Barbados Tourism and Investment Incorporated.

Meanwhile Lucas Street to Bank Hall Cross Roads is expected to be completed by next month, while Mason Hall Street to Lakes Folly is overdue.

This project affects the St Mary's School, while access to St Leonard's may also be made difficult with on-going work at Goodland Corner to President Kennedy Drive.