New traffic arrangement for Half-Way Tree

Starting tomorrow pedestrians and motorists will have to adjust to a new traffic system in the busy Half-Way Tree urban centre in St Andrew.

The National Works Agency (NWA) will be introducing the changes at the Constant Spring Road/South Odeon Avenue and Constant Spring Road/Hope Road intersections.

The NWA says the changes will result in an exclusive pedestrian signal phase at these intersections.

Under the new traffic system buses leaving the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre along Constant Spring Road will be allowed to make right turns only and will not be permitted to travel across Constant Spring Road to Suthermere Avenue.

Pedestrian movement will be allowed at the Constant Spring Road/South Odeon Avenue and Constant Spring Road/Suthermere Avenue intersections as the buses depart the transport centre, while vehicular movement at both intersections will be stopped.

The traffic signal timing at both intersections will be adjusted to accommodate increased walk time for pedestrians and audible pedestrian signals will be installed at the pedestrian crossing at each intersection to assist the visually impaired.

Countdown signals will be installed to inform pedestrians of the available time to cross safely at each intersection, while the pedestrian crossings have already been re-marked and “do not block the intersection yellow boxes” have been placed at the centre of each intersection.

Lane usage signs have also been placed on Constant Spring and Hope roads.

The NWA says these changes will be monitored for six months to determine their effectiveness.