Aranguez overpass opened; $65M allocated to compensate farmers

Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner on Tuesday formally opened the $160 million Aranguez overpass that was started more than two years ago by his predecessor in the Manning PNM administration, Colm Imbert.

A French company and two local contractors - Coosals and Junior Sammy construction - built the 54-metre overpass, which is intended to ease traffic congestion on the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway with the removal of traffic lights at the Aranguez and El Socorro junctions.

Warner praised the collective efforts of both local and foreign contractors for keeping the work in time and in budget. In fact, he noted that the project came in about $25 million under the budget price.

Warner promised more changes in the highway system within the next year, saying this is the beginning of the end of traffic congestion in the country. "In two to three weeks' time, at most, we shall begin to build the interchange at the Grand Bazaar at a cost of $430 million," Warner said.

He added that a fourth lane for traffic will be included on the Aranguez stretch to aid in the merger of vehicles coming from the Uriah Butler Highway. And the Beetham stretch will get a third lane, starting at the NP headquarters and ending at the lighthouse. Warner's plans also include a bus lane on the Uriah Butler Highway. 

He also spoke of increased traffic vigilance, noting that 400 traffic wardens will be posted along major roadways to help in the free flow of traffic.

"The traffic wardens will do exactly what the police are doing. They will give people tickets, charge people for being on the Bus Route (and) people who don't obey the highway codes...

"I have not been getting the success from the traffic police as I would like to. Therefore, the traffic wardens are meant to supplement what the traffic police should be doing," he said.

Warner said he has written to Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs and National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy for additional police patrols to be carried out on the highways.

The minister also said government has allocated $65 million to compensate farmers whose lands have been used to accommodate the new highway system.

Next week, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will turn the sod for the opening of work on the new San Fernando to Point Fortin highway that is estimated to cost about $5 billion.