TRANSPORT CENTRE WELL ADVANCED

Minister Henry greets a employee during the tour of the Transport Centre.

Work on the Half Way Tree Transport Centre is far advanced. In fact, all the major works have been completed but associated works involving the re-rurfacing of roads adjacent to the Centre is yet to be done. This upgrading would include the widening of Constant Spring Road, in the vicinity of BNS, South and North Odeon Avenues and Eastwood Park Road.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by Minister L. Michael Henry, during a tour of the Transport Centre by officials from the Ministry of Transport and Works, the Port Authority of Jamaica, the National Works Agency and other associated agencies. The Minister noted that he would be requesting that the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) which is responsible for managing the facility, try to attract advertisers through the use of electronic display boards as one method of supplementing revenues.

Senior Vice President of operations at the PAJ, Mr. Winston Boothe, said that plans to generate revenue by selling advertising space as well as from rentals of the shops were already being worked on. He said that pre-qualification had been done and tender documents issued.

The Minister, during the tour raised several concerns about the Centre which he hopes to have addressed. These include the traffic movement in the area, maintenance of public conveniences at the facility, failure to make provision for the colour coding of signs, especially for commuters who are unable to read and access for the disabled community. The Minister, in the meantime recommended that a system be implemented to allow commuters to be advised in the event, buses are delayed. He also suggested that the possibility of erecting a pedestrian bridge to provide access from Mandela Park to the Centre.

The Project involves the construction of 18,600 sq metres of bus parking on two levels and 900sq metres of terrace level to accommodate all public transportation now terminating in Half Way Tree. The Centre is expected to be opened later this year.

Accompanying Minister Henry on the tour were, State Minister, Joseph Hibbert, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alwin Hales, Transport Authority Head, Mr. Keith Goodison as well as other officials from the NWA, PAJ and the Ministry of Transport.