Broken roads and open holes threaten lives

Motorists and pedestrians across sections of the Corporate Area are navigating what residents describe as a daily obstacle course, with broken road surfaces, open holes and fading pedestrian crossings turning some routine journeys into risky manoeuvres.

On Marescaux Road in Kingston, directly opposite the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, at least six deep holes have formed in the concrete paved sidewalk. The damage has forced pedestrians -- including parents with infants -- to weave carefully around the craters just to pass safely.

Long-time resident Robert Wray, 73, said the broken roadway has become a hazard for anyone unfamiliar with the area.

"It's dangerous, because if you don't know seh it deh here in the day and a walk in the night, you drop in deh. You have blind people weh walk 'round here too," he said.

Motorists are also raising alarm about potholes, which have become hazardous.

Damion Lesley recalled narrowly avoiding danger on Marcus Garvey Drive.

"One day mi see a big manhole without a cover. People had to put things round it so nobody fall in," he said. "When yuh driving, yuh haffi watch every second. Accident just a wait fi happen."

He also argued that pedestrian infrastructure is severely lacking.

"Jamaica is a place like this, you only see pedestrian [crossing] paint when a Labour Day. Some place you nuh need fi people say pedestrian crossing fi be there. People unruly, but it better them have it fi use than nuh have it and them meet inna accident."

Along Mona Road, residents say overgrown bushes are blocking visibility at a pedestrian crossing, creating a hidden danger for both drivers and walkers. Resident Maizie Smith said the situation puts all road users at risk, especially children.

"To cross from one side to the other is very important, because commuting is necessary when you have things to do.

"Not being able to see the pedestrian crossings causes major accidents for both commuters and drivers, because persons that want to cross. Some don't have the patience to wait, and the drivers on the road, they're worse than the pedestrian sometimes, so things can take a turn for the worse."

Smith added that faded or missing crossings pose a serious risk to children. "Some places I go I can barely see the pedestrian crossing and my concern is for kids."

Responsibility for the maintenance of main roads of lies with the National Works Agency (NWA), while the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation handles local roads.

THE STAR posed questions to Stephen Shaw, manager of communication and customer services at the NWA. Citing complaints that roads seem to deteriorate quickly after repairs are done, Shaw said the government has been "treating with situation through several projects and programmes". He cited the multi-billion dollar SPARK Programme and the Capital Expenditure Programme among the initiatives being utilised.

"Through these efforts entire roads are being re-engineered, designed and rebuilt with modern circumstances being considered," he said. The news team noted concerns have been raised about the quality of materials used in roadworks, with some residents suggesting the concrete and other inputs are not holding up. Shaw said it was difficult to respond in a general way to such concerns.

"I rather deal with each issue on its merit, as there are a number of reasons defects may manifest themselves after some work," he said. Regarding uncovered manholes, Shaw said a determination has to be made as to what type of underground infrastructure they are connected to.

"Not all these are related to the work of the NWA. Some are sewer related, others are for telecoms providers. In those circumstances the responsible authority is notified," he said.

"Regarding such things as fading marks, we have ongoing maintenance works for such, but the budget does not allow us to go many places at once," he added.