Thursday, September 19, 2024

7 THE STAR NEWS • Thursday, September 19, 2024 @JamaicaStar www.facebook.com/JamaicaStar • www.jamaica-star.com TIFFANY PRYCE STAR Writer M o t o r i s t s a n d commuters are growing increasingly anx i ous about the malfunctioning traffic signal at Flat Bridge in St Catherine, fearing the potential dangers it poses. Known for its narrow structure and the perilous waters below, Flat Bridge has a long history of tragic accidents, many of which have claimed lives. For those who cross the bridge daily, simply making it to the other side often brings a sense of relief, with some passengers admitting to holding their breath until they’re safely across. “It’s been one week and four days since the light stopped working, and I can see how it could become very dangerous if it’s not fixed,” said one concerned commuter on Tuesday. Another commuter, who uses the route daily, recounted a frightening experience. “It took so long to cross because nobody wanted to wait. The driver had to stop and wait until no cars were coming at all,” she explained, highlighting the confusion and disorder caused by the absence of the traffic signal. Motorists and passengers alike have expressed frustration, calling the situation both inconvenient and hazardous. While they urge fellow road users to remain patient, their main plea is directed at the National Works Agency (NWA), urging them to fix the issue. Road crashes have been a leading cause of untimely deaths in Jamaica. Since the start of the year, 268 persons have died on the nation’s roads. Meanwile, Stephen Shaw, manager of communication and customer services at the NWA, last week said that critical components of the traffic signal were damaged by fire. He said that incidents of vandalism have plagued the Flat Bridge traffic signals over the past six months, with vandals repeatedly cutting cables. In response, the NWA placed a protective barrier around key parts of the lighting system, but the vandals shifted their attention to the control box, where they removed the cover and destroyed essential components. He said that a similar act of vandalism has left the lights at the intersection of Duke Street and East Queen Street in Kingston inoperable. Shaw said the damage to both signals at Flat Bridge and at the Duke Street/East Queen Street intersection has been estimated at $1.6 million. Broken Flat Bridge traffic light raises accident fears Vehicles on the Flat Bridge in the Bog Walk Gorge, St Catherine. F ile