Public invited to view plan to upgrade Sheriff-Mandela roadway corridor

Stakeholders and other members of the public are being invited to view and comment on a display of proposed roadway concept plan drawings for the upgrading the Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue roadway corridor, on June 25 and 26, 2013 at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School from 5pm to 8pm.

A release from the consulting firms Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants Inc. (CEMCO) and Exp, Canada said that over the last three years, a technical team from the Ministry of Public Works has focused on the proposed refurbishment and expansion of the Sheriff and Mandela Avenue roadway corridor to render a safer, more travel-worthy road.  In 2010, the project idea was shared with various stakeholders drawn from public and private sector agencies, business community along the corridor, and schools. In 2012 another focus group engaged in gathering a wide cross-section of stakeholders’ opinion.

Tasked with developing the idea of an upgrade to an actual design, CEMCO has teamed up with Exp, Canada to prepare a design of the roadway.  The IDB-funded project team will facilitate this public display of the first round of roadway concept plans which takes into account the various stakeholders’ opinions gathered from separate sessions with private sector and civil society organisations including Parents Teacher Associations and road transportation organisations.

A specialised technical team will be on hand at the two-day display to answer questions and receive views on the proposed changes to roadway use including redesigned traffic flow; upgraded pedestrian walkways; private and public parking among others. Stakeholders comments and views will inform the final roadway design which will be submitted to the Public Works ministry in August.

Residents and business owners along the corridor (Sheriff Street from Rupert Craig Highway to the Lamaha Canal and Mandela Avenue from the canal to the East bank Highway) and other road users who might be more directly affected are especially urged to attend.