EXPECTED TO BE WORSE FROM MAMMEE BAY TO DISCOVERY BAY, FRI & SAT
OCHO RIOS, St Ann, Aug. 1, 2024
Police are advising people using the main roadway in St Ann from Emancipation Day, August 1, to Independence Day, Tuesday, August 6 to expect long delays on the roadway. That’s because of the number of parties and events across the parish.
The main areas where congestion is anticipated are the stretch between the roundabout at the end of the North-South Highway, west to Discovery Bay, and east to Ocho Rios.
Expect congestion, therefore, between Mamee Bay through Drax Hall, St Ann’s Bay, Priory, and Salem Runaway Bay, in both directions. The three-mile driver between the roundabout and Ocho Rios proper could take an hour.
Senior Superintendent in charge of St Ann Dwight Powell says the heaviest build-up of traffic is expected Friday and Saturday, August 2 and 3.
He says the number of civic and social events across the parish means delays. He is advising people to leave earlier than they otherwise would to get to their destinations.
(Traffic outside Cool Oasis gas station, Wednesday afternoon before Thursday’s Emancipation Day Holiday)
SSP Powell said in cases where travel can be avoided then people should choose that option.
The North Coast Times has been observing the state of traffic that has now fallen almost into chronic congestion, especially between the St Ann’s Bay roundabout at the Hospital and the Mammee Bay (toll road) roundabout.
The area is rarely policed and the hard shoulders are used especially by taxis and buses and increasingly by civilians to beat the traffic and in fact, make things worse.
On Wednesday afternoon, July 31, it was like a parking lot in both directions from the area around Riu and Sandals Dunns River through to the Priory.
Listen to SSP Powell:
Here’s a video slice showing a little of the bad driving that goes undetected.
