BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE portion of the West Basseterre Bypass Road between the western end of the airport runway and Shadwell will open later this month, resulting in major changes to the existing road network.
According to a release from the St. Kitts Police Traffic Department, vehicles travelling to St. Peters passing Jam’s Welding will not be permitted to turn right onto the portion of road immediately west of the runway.
Instead, they will have to continue westwards over the bridge to the round-a-bout at Shadwell and return eastwards along the same portion of road, then turn left to St. Peters.
The other adjustment focuses on motorists travelling from St. Peters to Shadwell. Vehicles will not be permitted to turn right onto the bypass road, but must continue eastwards towards Gillard’s Service Station around the round-a-bout at Taylor’s and return in the opposite direction along the bypass road towards Shadwell.
Head of the St. Kitts Police Traffic Department, Inspector Cromwell Henry, spoke exclusively to SKNVibes about the rationale behind the changes.
“A study estimated that traffic on Cayon Street would be reduced by 20 percent with the addition of the bypass. We anticipate that the road will be heavily used, and that because of its wide and smooth nature people will be more inclined to speed,” he explained.
“These changes are designed to reduce the risk of accidents which may be caused by vehicles turning across traffic. They come into effect with the opening of the road, which will be before the end of the month.”
The Inspector informed that the requisite signage had to be installed before an exact opening date was announced, but warned that persons currently using the road were doing so at their own risk. He also gave further insight into how motorists would be dictated by the new layout.
“In effect, what we are doing is moving the curve at the western end of the runway even more westward towards the Mormon Church. The Federal Aviation Authority requires that an airport’s navigational lights be included in the airport compound, so we’re adjusting the road so that those lights will now be enclosed within the airport fence.
He added: “Once the entire process is complete, vehicles travelling along the road parallel to the northern end of the runway cannot go around the curve. They will have to keep straight towards Shadwell across a new bridge that will be erected, go around a round-a-bout and travel eastwards to Basseterre.”
According to Cromwell, bus drivers in the area have already been notified of the changes to which they were “responsive”. He reasoned that the addition of Shadwell to their route would generate increased profits, thus eliminating the need to increase their fares.
The Traffic Head said he would be making several media appearances to thoroughly explain the new layout.
