Traffic Restrictions For ‘Significant Time Period’
The Ministry of Public Works said they would like to advise the motoring public of the traffic restrictions on the west bound lane of Palmetto Road west of Bishops Spencer Road.
A spokesperson said, “It is anticipated that this lane closure will be in effect for a significant period of time until such time as the rock cut that collapsed on the property on Perimeter Lane is stabilized.
“The stabilization of the rock cut is not the Ministry’s responsibility – the landowners on Perimeter Lane are responsible for constructing a proper retaining wall there.
“The Ministry advises motorists to use alternative routes, for example, Northshore Road via Blackwatch Pass or Frog Lane/Parsons Road,” the spokesperson continued.
“Traffic is being restricted off the westbound lane of Palmetto Road to ensure public safety and traffic lights are expected to be installed shortly to manage the traffic flow from east of Palmetto Road.
“The Ministry apologizes for any inconvenience to the motoring public caused by this traffic diversion and requests that traffic signs in this area are observed.”
It’s apparent that inpection of properties with rock cuts close to roadways are necessary. A certification of stability can be a requirement with property taxes. As a member of the public, I should not be inconvenienced by the failure of a private citizen to maintain the property. Furthermore many property owners may be unsure of the maintenance requirements and this can cause more problems in the future.
Don’t let planning slow this up. Decide NOW what needs to be done and effing DO IT.
Hmmm hope this is not another 10 year wait. Quite frankly I think W&E should just go ahead and do it, in the interest of public safety. Looking at the scope of what needs to be done no way the home owner can afford it. Lets hope it won’t be another Devon Springs Road, this is a main thoroughfare.
I do not think the government should be paying for this. Not with my taxes. It is the responsiblity of the owner(s), especially as they started the wall but did not finish it.
It’s a pain in the a$$ every morning!
Devon Springs Road comes to mind. This was not supposed to be done by government either, but in the end it was paid for by government.
Do you see the pictures, that is one hell of a retaining wall, I hope they have 100K just sitting in an account somewhere.
So basically this will never get adressed, is that what you are really trying to say? Way to pass the buck. Who was the agency who allowed permission to build so close to the road, or to sell land so close?
Oh I can see this not going away for a very long time.
While it is not the responsibility of W&E to fix this problem, they do have a program whereby if a homeowner is unable to do it themselves,then in the interest of public safety W&E can do the work and bill the homeowner for it.
Well. Guess we gotta wait another decade for this one.
Just a suggestion that they allow bikes only to pass by the construction. This will help with the traffice flow.
Brilliant idea! Anyone listening?
*Crickets*
“IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, A SECTION OF PALMETTO ROAD IS CLOSED”
That makes a lot of sense.
However, we have seen several times, all over the Island, where “Government” both PLP and UBP has built retaining walls at the Government’s expense, in exchange for a portion of private property to widen roads “IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY”.
It is my imagination or does it appear, in this case, that the OBA does not have THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC AT HEART?
THIS IS UTTER RUBBISH.
Has it really not occurred to Anyone at W&E or the Police to reverse the traffic flow over that stretch during morning rush hour?! 7:30 to 9:30 would be enough, and divert eastbound traffic through Blackwatch Pass.
AGREED!!!!
Another brilliant idea! Anyone listening?
*Crickets*
What HE/SHE said….
Amazed says:
March 21, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Has it really not occurred to Anyone at W&E or the Police to reverse the traffic flow over that stretch during morning rush hour?! 7:30 to 9:30 would be enough, and divert eastbound traffic through Blackwatch Pass.
I agree. This is the best comment I have seen.
SOMEONE PLEASE CALL THE MINISTRY AND GIVE THEM THIS IDEA PLZ!!
@Amazed,
One could assume that at present the entire road is deemed a danger to the public, and not just the westbound lane.
I think this should have been done long before the detour signs – nothing is prior notice…. Lack of communication not only within the Dept. but general public as usual….
Hope the works don’t take long
Well then have a traffic cop stop and direct traffic at the junction of Glebe Road and Parsons Road. The traffic backs up to Bishop Spencer in the morning.
Also have a traffic cop at the North Shore/Blackwatch Pass/Langton Hill junction to have enough traffic pass through instead of backing up to Dock Hill.
What a load of s#it! “The stabilization of the rock cut is not the Ministry’s responsibility…”
but the safety of the public is!
This rock supports the road bed, and so it def is a gov responsibility. The vibration of busses and trucks , increasingly heavier are doing this all over the island’s old roads, which were built for much lighter and less traffic. I would say W&E has failed in it schedule of upkeep. Its time and cost performance on road projects is a joke. One only has to remember the wall at Angel Steps Southampton taking forever, and only last week was it finally paved. I’m sure a private contract on a budget and deadline would have had it done in two weeks. There is such a think as working before and after 9-5, especially when its traffic blocking situations. Prefab walls come to mind as well.
Your absolutely right Seamen. Isnt part of our TCD fee for this very maintenance?? Westbound trucks and buses wangin’ from East hit that slight uphill which can cause blunt impact. Sooner or later there is bound to be a structural compromise..
I agree 100% with you. If you have a property with a boundary on the main road and heavy trucks and buses causes the road to fall into your property then the Government should be obliged to assist the homeowner in their predicament. Heavy trucks with larger loads have been ruining the roads and this has been seen just as recently as the last five years!
Government will wait till some1 gets badly hurt,than they will jump in! Instead of just going ahead fixing it now! I can’t see any1 in that area being able to afford building a expensive retaining wall after the engineer draws it up! Oh and please let a local contractor build it, because if government workers do it, it will be Xmas when it’s finished!
It’s going to be a significant period, works and engineering will be milking this job till next year
Say what you want about the time it takes for the government workers to build a wall. When you research who built theese walls with signs saying danger unsafe wall. Most of them where built by your speedy and greedy private contractors. Where as the government walls stay up fo years and years. Just goes to show speed is not always best. And I bet you where this cliff face is falling because of an unfinished retaining wall. It was started by a private contractor who wasting the land owners funds.