BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE portion of the West Basseterre Bypass Road between the western end of the airport runway and Shadwell is now open to traffic, a month later than original predictions by Traffic Department personnel.
Speaking to SKNVibes in November, Inspector Cromwell Henry, Head of the Traffic Department, said the road would open later that month. The new section opened on Thursday (Dec. 17), bringing with it major changes to the road network in that area.
Now, 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. They will instead continue westwards over the bridge to the round-a-bout at Shadwell and return eastwards along the same portion of road to turn left towards St. Peters.
Vehicles going to Shadwell from St. Peters cannot turn right onto the bypass road, but will have to continue eastwards towards Gillard’s Service Station around the round-a-bout above Taylor’s Housing and return in the opposite direction along the bypass road towards Shadwell.
Insp. Henry had a warning for motorists seeking to violate traffic laws, and said the police would maintain a regular presence on the new road to ensure adherence to traffic regulations.
“Persons must use the road as it was intended to be used; they should not be making u-turns or three-point turns on it. The Department has placed medians along the centre of the road so that drivers are aware of the route they should be taking. Motorists only have themselves to blame if they continue making illegal manoeuvres,” he stated.
The Traffic Dept. Head also revealed that foundation work had begun on a new bridge that would intersect Shadwell and St. Peters, but said he could not predict when that structure would be completed.
Once the bridge is built, vehicles travelling from St. Peters along the road parallel to the northern end of the runway will have to go across the bridge to Shadwell, pass through a round-a-bout and continue eastwards to Basseterre.
According to Henry, motorists could expect a Christmas gift with the opening of another stretch of the bypass road - the portion from Shadwell to Camps.
“We’re hoping to have that part of the road open for the Carnival season. Right now, the contractors are putting in the centre lines, the signage and the rest of the road markings. By the time things close down for the holidays, it should be open for use.”
