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PHILIPSBURG--The ring road has been transformed into a temporary one-way dirt road which will accommodate the outflow of traffic from Philipsburg for the busy holiday season. The entrance is near the Salt Pickers Roundabout at the section previously barricaded by yellow boulders, and the exit near Air Lekkerbek, both connecting to Walter Nisbeth Road.
Police Officers were in the area between 5:00pm and 6:00pm to direct traffic and introduce them to the lane.
The arrangement will be in place until at least January 5, informed Community Police Officer Steven Carty during a press conference held between the Police Force and Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI on December 18. He urged the public to adhere to the traffic rules and signs which have been put up and said that disregarding the one-way rule would hamper traffic and cause danger.
The traffic signs are covered by law and fines can be issued for up to NAf. 200. Lighting is also being arranged and should be in place by today.
The one-way road will run on the side closest to Great Salt Pond and is separated by a sandbank. The arrangement does take away from parking availability, for example at the space that will be used as the entrance, but some alternate parking spaces have been arranged by clearing more space in the parking area which will be closer to the roadside of Walter Nisbeth Road.
Head of Traffic, Chief Inspector Benjamin Gout told the press that the congestion situation is faced every year, but that this year a different solution was sought which focused on circulation and facilitating the opportunity to leave the congested area. Back Street will also be closed as is customary, but this time only on December 24, 30 and 31. He said the focus was to give more opportunity to leave Philipsburg.
Edelmiro Jansen of VROMI said the road, which is basically a fast lane, would let drivers get out of town without interruption. He stressed that the lane is not wide enough to allow parking and that police would be monitoring the situation. Drivers entering the ring road from other points cannot go past the area near Ketty's Kitchen. Some additional space for parking was also made near Blue Point.
He said that he knows the public is used to being able to park closer to town, but to bear in mind that the measures would benefit the traffic flow. The public is asked to park with consideration for others, preferably on a slant so that more cars can fit.
Raymond Chittick, Lia Dania and Emmalexis Velasquez of VROMI and Police Inspector Spokesperson Ricardo Henson were also present for the press conference.
