Warner announces flyover for Curepe

Works and Infrastructure Minister Jack Warner told reporters Thursday Cabinet has approved $446.6 for a flyover at the Curepe to ease traffic congestion at that intersection on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway.

Warner made the announcement following the weekly cabinet meeting. He said the flyover and other ancillary works will facilitate the free flow of traffic on the highway.

"In other words, I am saying, the traffic lights at Curepe, by Kay Donna, the Cabinet agreed to have those lights removed and to construct a flyover at that junction. 

"The Cabinet agreed that the Ministry of Works should enter into a contract with NIDCO to implement the project. Moreover, Cabinet agreed that the budget for this work would amount to $446.6 million," Warner stated.

The minister said tenders will be out by November this year and he expects that a contract will be awarded by April 2012. Warner said it would take 18 months to complete the project.

He added that the money for it will come in two phases. "Fiscal 2012, $291.3 million, and fiscal 2013, $222.27 million." 

He also gave some specifics about the project. "As you have realised we will have to take piece of Kay Donna as you know it. We will also have to take those two homes which are opposite Kay Donna. We also have to take the space where the gas station is at present."

He said when the project is completed the ministry will be able to remove the traffic lights at Bamboo Settlement and Valpark.

"As such therefore, by the end of next year, there will have a free flow of traffic from that roundabout by Kay Donna right into Port of Spain. 

"As we are here at present, there are no traffic lights between Golconda and Port of Spain and the same thing is hoped to be achieved by the time we reach O'Meara, Demerara Road. So bit by bit, piece by piece we are removing those lights, expensive, costly, but to be done over a period of time," the minister stated.