Business groups want solution to highway skid problem

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2 hours ago

The Federation of Regional Chambers of Commerce (CRBC) and the Greater San Fernando Chamber of Commerce expressed hope on January 15 that the Department of Works and Transportation will find a solution to the landslide issue along the Solomon Hojoy Highway near the McCauley Interchange.

“Land slides have been a very serious problem over the past several months, and possibly years, and are a critical safety issue,” CRBC said in a statement.

The group is pleased that restoration work has begun on the site.

But CRBC said the works “have caused significant traffic congestion, lost time and deep frustration for motorists”.

The organization urges the ministry to step up and complete this very important work in less time.

Kiran Singh, president of the Greater San Fernando Chamber of Commerce, said in a WhatsApp comment: “This part of the highway has had structural integrity issues for some time and has therefore been slowly hampering traffic over the years.

“The recent landslide has closed one lane of the southbound carriageway, causing severe congestion on the road north of Chaguanas.”

Singh said the temporary fixes being carried out were unsustainable and a permanent solution was needed.

“Countless work hours have been lost and earning capacity is likely to be reduced, which will continue until Macaulay’s third lane is built.

“Loss of business activity, vehicle damage and lack of rest will not be compensated and these are invisible costs to any business.”

Singh was heartened by comments by Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan about building a third lane from Chaguanas to San Fernando as part of a permanent solution to the landslide problem.

He described this as economically sound management.

Singh wants necessary road construction to be carried out at night to minimize inconvenience to drivers and commuters.

On Sunday, Sinanan said the slippage began in 2014 and a retaining wall was built to stop it. But earthmoving under the highway last year continued, causing more landslides.

Sinanan said temporary measures were being taken to allow free movement of both lanes on the highway’s southbound lanes. He expected the measures to be completed within two days.

He estimated the cost of the temporary work at about $2.5 million.

Sinanan added that consultants Beston were working on designs for a permanent solution to the landslide problem.