Dear Editor,
The construction projects on the East Bank and East Coast show good foresight, given the projected swell in traffic in the near future. I have but a small suggestion which I hope, if not already in the works, will be considered in future constructions. It would be a good idea to incorporate more roundabouts instead of traffic lights at some junctions. For instance, the roundabout outside the Bank of Guyana does not need a traffic light. The entrance to Turkeyen could also benefit from a roundabout and would effectively cut down on the excessive speeding in that area. Other locations that could benefit from a roundabout instead of those lengthy, gas-gulping lights are the DIH junction before heading up to the Harbour Bridge, the Harbour Bridge entrance, the junction by the Cultural Centre (Homestretch Avenue and Sheriff Street), as well as the junction at the other end of Homestretch (and Vlissingen Road), Vlissingen and Regent (by the zoo) and Sheriff and Duncan Streets. (Forgive me for using the old names for I’m but a prodigal son returning.) Other locations include the entrance to the Harbour Bridge on the West Bank, the junction at Vreed-en-Hoop, the entrances off the highway at Mahaica and Mahaicony, and the entrance to Rosignol just before the Tollbooth.
I’ve seen roundabouts effectively used in Barbados and other Caribbean countries and, with our coast being so flat, I’ve always wondered why they weren’t used at home. At the moment I cannot think of a single roundabout employed on our roads. This makes me wonder if our traffic planning authorities think our drivers are too ignorant and undisciplined to manoeuver around a roundabout without running into each other or ending up in a cussing match.
Yours faithfully,
M Alves
