Thousands of residents and commuters of the Southwestern peninsula can now breathe a sigh of relief as the MOWT, in collaboration with NIDCO, partially opened the southbound lane of the Solomon Hochocy Highway Extension to Point Fortin (SHHEPF) between Mosquito Creek and the Godineau River.
Senator the Honourable Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Works and Transport, Retired Major General Edmund Dillon, Member of Parliament for Point Fortin, Mr. Herbert George, Chairman of NIDCO among others officials were present for the brief opening ceremony today, Wednesday 23rd October, 2019.
This partial opening included a temporary traffic diversion onto the southbound lane of the highway (the elevated embankment) which will allow for the commencement of work on the northbound lane of the existing Mosquito Creek. Coming works on the northbound lane (existing Mosquito Creek) will include a 2m elevation bringing it to the level of the existing southbound lane. The Minister of Works and Transport noted that this change is expected to bring an end to the perennial flooding which is caused by a high spring tide. He stated some of the benefits to be derived from the partial opening of Package 5A of the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway Extension Project include:
BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT
• Reduced obstruction as a result of the high tide and consequential coastal flooding.
• Significantly reduced traffic congestion and daily traffic pile-ups
• Protection from the sea by andesite boulders supplied from the THA quarry in Tobago
• Improved access to thousands of residents and commuters who utilise the three-kilometre stretch (Mosquito Creek ) the main thoroughfare to get from San Fernando to Fyzabad, Oropouche, Rousillac, Vessigny, Guapo, La Brea, Point Fortin, Cedros and Icacos
• Reduced frustration and travel times
• Reduced damage to vehicles caused by seawater splashes
• A new roadway that meets international standards
• Improved safety for motorists and pedestrians and Reduced expenditure on fuel
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