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Portmore leg of Highway 2000

09/27/05

Permalink 10:17:07 pm, by Melba
Categories: Commentary

Portmore leg of Highway 2000

Toll roads exist today worldwide as alternate routes to other major roadways. To relief congestion in traffic Governments will (without disturbing the already existing arrangements) offer another route. In other words one has an option. The toll roads usually have more lanes, have no traffic lights and are therefore much faster. They are however more expensive to travel on.

Follow up:

The Government of Jamaica has been building toll roads across Jamaica in the Highway 2000 project. So far these have all been excellent alternatives and have been welcomed by the motorist of Jamaica. One leg of the project however is the source of major contention especially for the residents of Portmore. A six lane toll highway connecting Portmore to Kingston is to be constructed. The only problem is that the Government wants to dismantle the existing causeway road in order to build this. As an alternative they suggest motorist travel via Mandela Highway into Kingston.
The Residents of Portmore have now taken the Government to court twice since the start of the year challenging the Portmore leg of Highway 2000. Both times the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the Government.
One of the biggest drawbacks to living in Portmore is traveling to and from Kingston. Presently one has to leave home before 6:00am in order to arrive at work or school on time in the mornings. Getting home can take anywhere between two to four hours. A toll road therefore sounds great, or does it. So far the exact amount proposed for the toll is not known. Thirty ($30.00) dollars is one figure I have heard, that might sound like a minimal amount but it adds up.
Over the years a lot of people have moved to Portmore because housing is cheaper. There are many people living on minimum wage of $2500.00 per week. A toll of $30.00 each way for five days would represent 8.3 percent of their income. Already cost of living is a gigantic strain. This could very well be the straw to break the camels back.
The other problem is the suggested alternative. The Mandela Highway is the only way into Kingston for all the residents of Spanish Town, Ensome City, Green Acres, Eltam View, Ebony Vale, Angels Estate and all points beyond. Already these residents must leave their homes before 5:30am in order to be on time for work and school in the mornings. To add the Portmore residents to this congestion is unthinkable.
The way I see it is that the Government has created a major problem by building communities without adequate infrastructures. Now they are asking the poor people to pay for their mistakes. No one is against a toll road; however it should be an alternative and not a replacement.
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