(Trinidad Guardian) The massive traffic build-up on the north-bound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway yesterday morning has been described as a disaster by Works and Infrastructure Minister Jack Warner. He said the disaster highlighted the need to develop and implement contingency plans for such situations. Thousands of motorists, heading into Port-of-Spain and other areas, were caught in standstill traffic from as early as 6 am. According to reports, the driver of a truck proceeding north lost control and slammed into an electricity pole which fell across the roadway pulling down live high-tension wires.
The driver reportedly sustained minor injuries. Officers from the T&T Fire Service, Police Service, technicians from T&T Electricity Commission, ambulance services and other personnel were on the scene. However, it took a long time for the pole to be removed. Warner criticised errant motorists who prevented an ambulance to proceed. He said their actions threatened the safety and lives of others. In a statement just after 1.30 pm yesterday, Warner said he was advised every flyover, intersection and backroad proceeding to Grand Bazaar were congested and in some cases choked.
He said an ambulance “got stuck” in the traffic near the Caroni flyover as emergency shoulders were occupied by insensitive drivers. Warner said: “Such a state of affairs should not have been allowed to happen. “Those errant motorists should have exercised personal responsibility to stay off the shoulder.
Up until 9.20 am traffic was backed up from the flyover. Warner said the entire country could not be allowed to grind to a halt because one vehicle was obstructing the roadway. He said he intended to look into the issue of contingency traffic plans for the north-south highway and other high traffic routes, including Port-of-Spain, which was a traffic and transportation nightmare wherever there was flooding.
