Road under Canefield cliff to be expanded to accommodate three-lane traffic

Section of the road under the Canefield cliff under rehabilitation. Photo credit: GIS

The Chinese Railway Construction Company in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Works has begun work on a three-lane road from the vicinity of the coast guard base in Fond Colé to West Indies oil property in Canefield.

Minister for Public Works, Energy and Ports, Rayburn Blackmore said that this project is part of the wider West Coast Road Project extending from Canefield to Portsmouth.

The minister said that this phase of the project will involve the road being realigned to accommodate three-lane traffic.

“What we are attempting to do is to do some realignment in the area beginning just past Woodbridge Bay around the Police Coast Guard Base. The realignment will be towards the seawall on the western section of the road. The road is going to be enlarged to accommodate three-lane traffic leading up to the West Indies Oil area with approximately 0.75m of shoulder on either side of the road. Some reservation will be made for drains and sidewalk. The sidewalk will be constructed on the western side of the road approximately one metre in width. The road itself will be approximately 10.5 metres in width,” he said.

The Ministry of Public Works has assured motorists using the road under the Canefield cliff that all will be done to minimize the level of inconvenience.

“The road under the Canefield cliff is one of the heaviest traversed areas in Dominica. We will make every effort therefore to try to minimize the inconvenience to the motoring public who uses this road. Work is going to commence on the western side of the road and once this section is complete, vehicular traffic will be diverted to this side to allow the contractor to work on the eastern side of the road,” Blackmore pointed out.

Plans are to have much of the work done during the hours of nine at night and six in the morning.

“It is important to control traffic because this is the only major artery leading in and out of Roseau north bound. This is because we do not want to inconvenience motorists who use this route daily. We are trying to avoid that at all costs. We have already placed announcements via the media alerting the public of the impending work,” Blackmore stated.

The West Coast Road Project funded by the Chinese Government is now 80 percent  complete with significant work already done at various locations along the west coast route.

Minister Blackmoore is pleased with the level of work done thus far, geared at improving the island’s road network.

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87 Comments

  1. Nudibranch
    October 31, 2011

    well as a venue for the racing crowd late at night, it will do a great job removing a certain element from the gene pool. Sadly innocents may get hurt because of their ignorance too.

  2. dominican abroad
    August 19, 2011

    three lane is better than no lane congratulation dominica move slowlly, not so fast,sustanabl future with progress rome was not build in a day

    • Emperor
      April 6, 2012

      i agree with you.when dominica hard roads with holes people complain.Now fix the roads they care about accidents. how can we please the people of dominica.God help us.Anyway one day all the complaining all you doing will come back and bite all you in the butt.

  3. natrural dominican
    March 9, 2011

    aren’t these ppl tired of building bs…i mean if u gonna put a road put at least a four lane road…do these ppl really think that this will help…and why the hell would you need a whole meter of sidewalk space…its not like a lot of ppl walk there…sounds like its just gonna be another portersville to the port road

  4. Anthony P. Ismael
    March 9, 2011

    I am patiently waiting to see how Mahaut and Massacre will be addressed. If these two villages are not evaluated, then the entire project is a waste. It’s obvious that the homes alongside the road in Mahaut will not be relocated. However, they have to strategically remove some of these homes, so that the road can accommodate two lanes of traffic.

  5. CONCERNED 1
    March 8, 2011

    SPECIAL THANKS TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR YOUR VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COUNTRY. YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS VERY MUCH VALUED AND APPRECIATED THANKS AGAIN.

  6. wow
    March 8, 2011

    people this is not a takeover lane. it merges into back into a two lane road. those that i’ve seen so far are mostly located on hills. huge vehicles like dump dump truck, 6wheelers 8 wheelers or what have you, occupy one lane and smaller vehicle ocupy the othe lane, well that’s what happens, one usually moves to another lane when a huge vehicle is comming down a hill before or infront of them. then the other lane is for travelling inthe opposite direction.

  7. Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
    March 8, 2011

    OK! So many of you have varied ideas on how many lanes the new Canefield road should have. Without being judgmental governments ideas are not always the best. They do make mistakes.
    Since everyone possesses some degree of intelligence, your ideas are excellent ones and good insight for road safety and smooth flow of traffic. Why not (also) present your ideas to the government department concerned? If you do, I hope they will be welcomed and if feasible be implemented.

  8. mouth of the south
    March 8, 2011

    again all we see is concrete development,,, i have never came on dno or heard on the radio of anything which will significantly help develop our people,,, nothing that would have an impact on their life or financial status,,, every other day is some building this n that,,, what about the high tariffs n other ridiculous taxes on the port,,, eliminating these things would have a bigger impact on the livelihood of the populace,,, wat about incentives for famers who are in dire need of help to aid our ailing agricultural sector,,, wat about a reduction in college tuition fees,,, omg i won’t have to into details as to the struggle young people esp young ladies go through to pay their college fees,,, always have to suck up to a loans officer,,,, n lord knows what offers are being done,,, i know cuz i worked in dat sector,,, now we are having a 3 lane road,,, i guess the middle would be for turning either left or right but based on the area i don’t see any turning has to be towards so i guess its a road to take-over on,,, better known as a suicide lane,, the name speaks for itself,,, why not a four lane road n finish with the nonsense,,,, we still have no designated lanes for emergency purposes,,, in the next 15 years this 3 lane might still have to be increased to 4 or 5,,, that’s why i say in d/ca we do for the now not for the future,,, we built a 12000 seat stadium while others upgrade to 25000,,, yet we think we can get maximum gains from international games knowing fully well with australia or india etc u expect at least 10000 foreigners now add we locals to the equation,,, this is just to small,,,

  9. 101
    March 8, 2011

    Three lanes between West Indies Oil(WIO) and the Coast Guard Base(CGB) for what? It is not going to speed up traffic, since there are no sifficant exits between the two points. Essentially you will have a mad rush of vehicles going into Roseau after WIO, then congestion to get back into two lanes by the CGB. The three lanes should extend south to infront of the St. Alphonsus Church.

    Again if we had better foresight and planning in Dominica the section between the DPA and SAC would have been built already.

    • Just an Observation, Sir
      March 8, 2011

      Having read all the comments, I thought why not look at all the roads in the Virgin Islands where I live and must admit is does exists here in the Virgin Islands.

      For those of us who know St. Thomas will know that that portion of road from Mandela Circle heading east to Kmart in town, next to Internal Revenue Devision (Income Tax) this is exactly what obtains. The centre lane is used for turning in both directions while traffic keeps flowing in its normal flow. So it does exists.

      There is no use for those comments we’re not engineers, let the experts do their do.

  10. one one coco full basket
    March 8, 2011

    well improvements of all natures are without doubt marvellous. However inspite 3 lanes being a form of advancement in relation to traffic, four lanes is most definitely better. Some may say it good for now, but i say if you are doing something to stay for generations to come please do it properly.
    It’s high time we move to the ages of the four lane system, but not just that but also the implementation of traffic lights, flyovers, skyscrapers, and maybe our environment might be so advanced that we may have a metro system. which will then enable the proper flow of traffic to this new metropolitical nation of Dominica. People think big, don’t think of good, think of better and best. forward we go Dominica as a nation, not just in the Caribbean, but in the world.

    • Piper
      March 8, 2011

      Do you pay taxes in Dominica? Allu always have big plans, but live outside the country and not paying a dime in taxes. Why don’t you wave your wand and make it happen overnight?

  11. man of the ppl
    March 8, 2011

    GOOD JOB WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND VIBES…..
    BUT WHY A 3 LANE ROAD( DONT GET THE PICTURE) ….WHAT WRONG WITH 4…..

    • Piper
      March 8, 2011

      What’s worng with 4 lanes? Cost.

    • Homeboy
      March 8, 2011

      I agree with you? An odd number. Most times it is 2 lanes North and 2 south. 3 lanes would imply one in either direction and 1 for emergency vehicles????

      • Homeboy
        March 8, 2011

        Or turns!! But we know there ate lots of ignorant drivers ehpvwill use it to overtake.

  12. Anti-hate
    March 7, 2011

    To all the persons who say I’m a small-minded idiot for wondering how safe three lane traffic would be in a Dominican context:

    “Suicide” Lane

    In the 1920s and 1930s, many roads were built with three lanes. There was one lane for each direction of traffic and a SHARED MIDDLE LANE that was used for PASSING by vehicles going in BOTH DIRECTIONS. This presented the very real possibility for HEAD-ON COLLISIONS as passing vehicles from both directions often shared this lane at the SAME TIME. The concept behind this lane is similar to the dashed yellow line found on two lane highways, which permits passing. Suicide lanes WERE FINALLY PHASED OUT by the 1960s, with the roadways either being widened to a full four lanes (or more), or SIMPLY HAVING THEM REMOVED. Today a “suicide” lane refers to the middle lane of a road that can be used to turn left from both directions, which is similar to the suicide lanes of yore.
    From: http://www.gbcnet.com/ushighways/glossary.html

    Developed countries phased them out due to the obvious safety issues and we’re introducing it. Yet I’m a small-minded idiot for seeing the potential for disaster.

    • Ehdi
      March 8, 2011

      1920’s and 1930’s? Almost 100 years ago. Tell me another joke Clown!

    • Cerberus
      March 8, 2011

      In our case, since we drive on the left, a middle lane for turning would only permit right hand turns…..the last one of which, coming from Roseau, leads straight into the funeral home!!!

      • Domerican/PossieMassive
        March 8, 2011

        Oh my gosh Cerberus, look kix. You must be from Possie. I cannot stop laughing at that comment. I just had my lunch and I feel hungry again after laughing so much. But thinking about it you are right.

      • north side
        November 12, 2011

        :-D :lol: hahahha that is soo true

  13. Ms. chin
    March 7, 2011

    When do we get a 4 lane highway????

    • jah
      March 8, 2011

      for what and where, through Mahaut and Massacre?

  14. sniooozer
    March 7, 2011

    I love you you a clown.. y’all gonna love the road.. just watch SAME PPL THAT WAS MAKING NOISE ABOUT THE STADIUM NOW THEY BUYING VIP LOL YOU ARE LL A BUNCH OF FALSE PPL

  15. jah
    March 7, 2011

    Without a plan for Mahaut/Massacre it is all for nought. You mean they woke up one morning and decided “lets build a three lan road from fond cole?”, where was the planning for this road, just reading that article tell me there was no planning; adhoc, that is DA. Most heavely traveled road in DA, yes it is because three quarters of the island is on the other side of it from north, east etc. Has anyone in DA and i mean the public seen the plans for the west coast road? why I am asking; NO. they must be designing and planing as they go along. them chinese man, yap they are smart boy. Turn lane, dominicans don’t know how to use turn lane, did you see the mess it cause down by the goodwill school.

  16. Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
    March 7, 2011

    I am pleased to read that the road under the Canefield cliff will be expanded. Three lanes or two lanes, whatever, are satisfactory for the space vehicles have to drive on at present considering that vehicular traffic has immensely increased in Dominica.
    The funding originated from the Chinese government. Be thankful to this government for the improvements which are being conducted in Dominica without which there would be no improvement. At least something good is being done for Dominica residents and also for general visitors to Dominica. By next year carnival the new road may be completed.
    The area near where I reside in Toronto, road repairs commenced approximately in May 2010 and was not complete until February 2011. The majority of repairs took place from early morning to early evenings, sometimes late evenings but never at weekends. Road repairs throughout the city are usually done in spring and summer. It was a great inconvenience for vehicular traffic and also for pedestrians. This was an experience. Life has to go on. We survived it and we soon forgot about the repairs and inconvenience.
    I do hope that Dominicans especially the drivers will be as patient as we were during those repairs times.
    I am looking forward to seeing the other improvements which took place and will have taken place in Dominica since the last time I visited.
    For those who state that they visited Dominica and saw no improvements, I do think you are blind. You criticize too much; expect too much and all at once. Everything takes time and money. We need to creep before we walk and to be satisfied with what we have, in this case, what is presently being done in Dominica, improvements or not.
    Cease crying down your country. Let me further state that there are some places in those big countries which need to improved and are no better than certain areas of Dominica. Also, you need to change your attitude.
    The last time I visited I was pleased with whatever improvement was done in Dominica. While I am one who loves beauty and improvements, I was satisfied with Dominica. Nothing beats visiting home and being home.
    Dominica is a beautiful country with beautiful sceneries and these are good enough for me. As the saying: “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Learn likewise.

  17. AP
    March 7, 2011

    3 lanes?!. First, it cannot be used for overtaking, just turning. Or there would be chaos… I mean who gets to overtake, south or north bound traffic. Too many collisions. It can be used as a center turn lane (see here we do in Florida, pic at bottom: http://www.123driving.com/flhandbook/flhb-pavement-markings.shtml).
    This 3-lane highway goes back to the backward thinking of building a 1-lane bridge on a two lane road. If that area is congested why not build a 4 or 5 lane highway serve the current and future needs. The fifth lane would serve as an multi directional, in the event of emergencies or heavy congestion. Are they going to have police directing traffic or overhead signals. Seems drivers will need annual driver refresher courses. Most of them are busy going nowhere.

    • Charmer
      March 7, 2011

      Thanks for that.

    • ????
      March 7, 2011

      Did I read correctly? Did you say “why not build a 4 or 5 lane highway?” You must have just woken up from a bad dream and thinking you are in Kansas.

  18. Just giving my two cents
    March 7, 2011

    Improvements of any kind is positive…things are getting better. Slowly but surely Dominica will rise. Congrats to the negotiators of that deal… any expansion to that area is much apprciated – let’s just hope that they implement a logical use of the new road.

  19. Deoborah
    March 7, 2011

    How is the bottle-neck in Mahaut/Massacre going to be dealt with. Two lanes merging into a half lane.

    • wow
      March 7, 2011

      this area will be dealt with couple of years form now. houses need to be removed one at a time unitll none is left. then the problem can be tackleed. in the meantime…drive slowly

  20. Cassandra
    March 7, 2011

    Good to see progress! However, a word of caution if the 3rd. or middle lane is intended for overtaking. Whereas such roads are not uncommon this third lane has also attracted the macabre moniker “suicide lane” for the occurrence of, especially frontal collisions at speed they are associated with. The road from Fond Cole to Rockaway is but a short stretch with no clear visibility for its entire length. Vehicles accelerating at either end in readiness for their overtaking manoeuvre may well be forced to take evasive action somewhere towards the middle of the road with dire consequences. I would ask the authorities to ) post a max. safe speed B) ensure this stretch of road is kit for its entire length.

    • Cassandra
      March 7, 2011

      Correction:” ensure this stretch of road is LIT for its entire length”

    • Anti-hate
      March 7, 2011

      Yeah I did a Google search before i made my comment and that’s what they called it, the suicide lane.

      Not sure if its cause a lot of people die in accidental collisions or if people intentionally drive down it to commit suicide by crashing into a vehicle coming in the other direction.

      It’s pretty obvious that such a road is more dangerous than a four-lane where there is no possibility of traffic coming in the other direction. I guess its better than nothing but I’m not comfortable with it knowing the kind of drivers we have here.

  21. No trouble intended
    March 7, 2011
    • Anti-hate
      March 7, 2011

      From the same links you posted:

      Passing lanes
      Historically, a SUICIDE LANE has also referred to a lane in the center of a highway meant for passing in both directions. Neither direction has the right-of-way, and both directions are permitted to use the lane for passing.

      Wonder why they nicknamed it a ‘suicide lane’ hmmmm.

      • No trouble intended
        March 7, 2011

        I guess it’s because you would have to be suicidal to disobey the traffic rules governing the use of lanes and getting into oncoming traffic. See, in those days they probably didn’t have traffic lights and other means of controlling traffic. If you just put three lanes there and say, ready, set, go….then you will get what you asking for. But if you have proper signs telling people what to do, things will be fine. A person who wants to break the traffic laws can do it on that road or anywhere else. You can’t blame the road for that, you have to blame the driver.
        Anyway, three lane roads are very common. It will definitely make traffic a lot smoother.

  22. Jayson
    March 7, 2011

    People just do your research (keeping in mind the area designated for this 3-lane roadway) and you’ll realize this makes alot of sense.

    Just because you’ve never seen it in the daily runnings of your life does not mean they don’t exist. The engineering minds behind this project didn’t just wake up one morning and decide to just start expanding the road. They done their research. Do yours.

    • LawieBawie
      March 7, 2011

      Great point.

  23. wow
    March 7, 2011

    those of you who havn’t traelled you are simply letting it be known. i have seen 3 way traffic lane, it merges back inot two, then i was a bit shocked the first time i saw it, i was travelling with a born american citizen and he was surprised too, so i guess it’s not tht common.

    • wow
      March 7, 2011

      hey the first part was meant to be funny ok

    • Anti-hate
      March 7, 2011

      u’re such an azz. how can u in the same post say that it’s not common, that you were ‘shocked’ and that an american was surprised, and in the same post say people haven’t travelled if they haven’t seen it?

      Make up your mind what you are trying to say.

      • wow
        March 7, 2011

        SOWWY anti hate

        • Anti-hate
          March 7, 2011

          lol its all good…

      • ALLU DOTISH EH
        March 7, 2011

        1st time i saw 3 lanes i didn’t think much of it it made sense after it merged into 2 lanes a few mils down. It lessens up congestion. The ppl who yapping are the same ppl who prove thy know nothing about anything and proving they cant run a country and dont know when a good thing is being done.. This is great but to you small minded wanna be Dominicans think its some sort of foolishness.. Gosh If I was a foreigner looking at this I wouldnt wanna visit Small minded dotish stupid ignorant black ppl making noise and calling their democratic country a communist country. Who would want to visit that? y’all making me feel shame to even have a damn flag. I wish Dno could put a bullshit sniffer script ont he site to just automatically block their comments b4 they even press enter.. Some of you ppl need to travel a li more or maybe read more.. since you on the internet do some research on things b4 u yapp.. my gosh.

        • I love you.
          March 7, 2011

          You travel and read so much and you still sound like a clown :mrgreen:

  24. All for development
    March 7, 2011

    Ummmm…what is meant by 80% complete? Can someone with some information on this road construction please explain the haphazard style of the Chinese road works. One day its Tarreau another day is Portsmouth and no real completion is ever done in a specific area. What does 80% mean?

    • wow
      March 7, 2011

      i really think certain areas need to be skipped. i would skipp mahoe and stjoe, not perform any work there untill something is done abotut those building. it’s not ther fault they have to work like tht …some areas just seem inpossible to improve with the limited recources (finance)

      • Anonymous
        March 7, 2011

        wat about senjoe that need 2 b skipped? r u saying senjoe hi-way worse than massacre?

        • wow
          March 7, 2011

          maybe i’m getting the villages confused. sowwy again

  25. Lord!
    March 7, 2011

    Except for the use of emergency vehicles, or that the government has future intensions to extend the extreme right lane all the way up to the public works artery, which serves as an alternative route into town, this three lane high way is an absurdity and merely a device to charm once again the BUZAI FOREST PEOPLE.
    What is the point in opening up the road just to close it up again with no means of escape?
    Again i say this will only make sense if it links witht the public works road.

    WAIT JUST A MINUTE! 80% complete? 80% complete. OMG. Are we complete idiots in Dominica?
    WHAT HAPPENED TO THE HIGHWAY THAT WE WERE PROMISED? BACK THEN WE ENVISIONED A THREE OR FOUR LANE, RELATIVELY STRAIGHT ROAD!!!!! IS THIS WHAT WE SOLD OUR BELOVED COUNTRY TO CHINA FOR?

    Peter Wakeham was right: we ARE Dumbinicans

    • The truth
      March 7, 2011

      Please stay quiet if you have nothing good or sensible go say. Go enjoy carnival. There are three lane motorways all over the world. Well dual carriageways anyway. In every country. Maybe you haven’t travelled to see it but it is out there. And it’s actually a good idea for Dca cos because of the mountains and the difficulty it is a smart way to reduce traffic in some places

      • Lord!
        March 8, 2011

        Did you actually READ my comment?

        …. and believe you me, i have been to more places than you could ever dream of.

        Learn to think straight.

        • The truth
          March 8, 2011

          Haha well good for u. Then I guess u have seen three lane motorways then. So why the silly chat?And people who travel do not ramble foolish nonsense like that either. Trust me, I know

  26. Piper
    March 7, 2011

    Of course you can have 3 lanes of traffic. I have seen it in several places. Dedicate two lanes for one direction and the other lane for the other direction.

    For example, if there is a concentration of traffic flowing into town between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning, but tend to be spread out more evenly during the day heading north, then two lanes would be dedicated to south bound traffic.

    Another solution is to have a set of overhead signals such that the middle lane is dedicated at different times of day. In the morning it is used for south bound traffic and it switches direction in the afternoon. A few over head red and green signals would accomplish that very easily. I have seen it in other cities.

    • Anti-hate
      March 7, 2011

      Thanks for that breakdown, as I said I couldn’t wrap my brain around it.

      Let’s just hope the impatient and wreckless drivers on the road follow the rules though, it’s only safe if people abide by the rules.

    • FED UP DOMINICAN
      March 7, 2011

      @ Piper – Your explanation of how this will work is correct and hopefully informative to those who refuse it understand and clearly cannot visualise how this will work.

      @ Anti-hate – Thanks for commenting on the part road users have to play. A road is only safe according to how it is used.

      3 lane traffic is operational in other countries, and Dominica does not have the volume of traffic that these roads accommodate and it works there.

    • KG
      March 7, 2011

      Piper, you are the first person to adequately explain the concept of a three lane road – great job. As you indicated, the primary intent is to alleviate traffic during peak periods through the reversal of traffic flow in the middle lane. Adequate signage and driver education will also be key.

      • Boyz2men
        March 8, 2011

        Piper, yur engineerarse!!!!

  27. Meeee2
    March 7, 2011

    80%? where? i visited DA and saw these people building a rikity bridge in picard, and some other small project, is that the road that is suppose to be going from Roseau to Portsmouth? I will be back to visit this summer, and then i will comment on improvement. PAPA ZOR

    • Eco
      March 7, 2011

      I hope you are contributing to the development of DA and not just there for the sewo.

  28. Anti-hate
    March 7, 2011

    Excuse my ignorance but how exactly does three lane traffic operate? One for each direction and a mid-lane for overtaking ? Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

    I’m not hating or trying to be negative I just can’t wrap my brain around it. i have friends and family who drive and I drive myself. Never seen a 3 lane yet, it’s usually an equal amount of lanes in each direction.

    • Ca Kway Tonae!!
      March 7, 2011

      Was pondering upon this myself. I know the road area in question, so naturally, I was wondering if is three lanes each way. However I realized this would be impossible, as the roadway is not wide enough to accommodate three lanes each way.

      Still, this could be a misspeak on the reporting or of the Minister’s account on what is to happen under the cliff.

      In any case, I suspect authorities have the best intentions for easing the congestion that seems eternal in such a vital artery into the city.

    • Lay person plea
      March 7, 2011

      Thanks for saving me from posting an independent comment about this because based on my Layman Transportation Engneering knowledge ths makes no sense unless the three lanes are in one direction. I am not sure how this idea came about nor will I speculate, but this money can be better spent in an emergency case as the sinking roadway shown on DNO south of the island. I know that Dominica has a lot of smart people, and it does not take any engineering degree to figure out certain things, but my concern has been whether there is any flexibility to do emergency work as in the case I described above given this third lane is not necessary. We need to stop being inflexible with our contracts. The thing is the scope of work to have a third lane is similar for the expansion toward the sea as that needed for the southern location i.e to build a reinforced wall followed by backfilling and surfacing of the road. Further, the length of the road in the south requiring reinforcing sea wall and re-surfacing might be shorter than the proposed area being locked at for the three lane roadway. I really hope they reconsider this and address this Southern area roadway instead because it is in a really bad condition.

    • No trouble intended
      March 7, 2011

      Three lanes can be used in various scenarios.
      1. You may have one lane in each direction and a middle lane for overtaking. In that case, you would have the broken lines indicating that you can overtake in that stretch of the road, and the solid line in other sections indicating that you can’t. This is used all over the world and I think it is already used in parts of DA.
      2. You can also have the middle lane that can be utilized during rush hour. In the morning when all traffic is going into the city, two lanes will be used in that direction and one going out of the city. In the evenings, this process can be reversed.
      3. In some cases, the third lane is used for turning traffic. In such cases, the whole line of traffic is not stopped because someone has to turn. I don’t think this will be the case here but one never knows.
      I am sure there are other scenarios, but a three lane road is quite common.

      • %
        March 7, 2011

        Aunty- hate you must respond to people’s post with more decency..You must stop being a boy/girl and learn how adults get engaged in a discussion. IT STARTS FROM THE HOME!!!!!

      • Just an add'l thought
        March 7, 2011

        I would agree with your suggestion number (2), which describes what is commonly used for HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle – vehicles with more than 1 passenger) but, think of the locations being considered for this three lane traffic; can you imagine the amount of bottle-necking of traffic which would lead to major congestion which seem to be the intent of your comment #2? The thing is we need to work with what we have, such that to complement our terrain etc and if for now two lanes is better for traffic flow so be it. In fact in Traffic Engineering, traffic flow is analyzed with a software called HCS whereby models of road designs are displayed based on data collected to see which model improves the traffic conditions best in terms of safety and volume of vehicles traversing the roadway with limited or no congestion. The question we need to ask is whether this analysis was conducted prior to selection of this design, because it is a standard method incorporated in road design especially highways and this project is a highway.

  29. Londonican
    March 7, 2011

    Always Happy to hear about development taking place in my beloved Island. :-D :-D :-D

  30. Anonymous
    March 7, 2011

    two lane road to expand into three… to merge back into two???

    • MD
      March 7, 2011

      Equals = bottle neck

    • Anonymous
      March 7, 2011

      Because of limited visibilty under the cliff, a passing lane for safe overtaking is agood idea.

      • Kalinago in New York
        March 7, 2011

        That is a recipe for disaster… @ MD… my sentiments exactly.

        • ALLU DOTISH EH
          March 7, 2011

          kALINAGO DO YOUR SELF A FAV PLZZZZZZZZZZZ TAKE OUT THE NAME KALINAGO CAUSE WHAT YOU SAYING IS DOTISHNESS MOST OF OUR PPL ARE SMART PLZ REMOVE THAT NAME. HOW IS THAT DISASTER? THEY HAVE THESE 3 LANES HERE IN THE US UK CANADA AND AUSTRALIA.. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU SMALL MINDED DOTISH PPL? 3 LANES LESSENS CONGESTIONS SPECIALLY AROUND A BEND. DURING RUSH HOUR TIME THIS 3 LANE GONNA LET TRAFIC MOVE SMOOTHER TRUST ME.

  31. Mrs Pestina
    March 7, 2011

    And what BABABLACKMORE has to say about the jumping jack cabosay walls that we are seeing on this project ?

  32. hj
    March 7, 2011

    Where are the comments. Labour at it again. is it only negative people like MOTS can look for?

  33. Positive
    March 7, 2011

    Good news for Dominica –no comments : congrats to the Government

  34. D/CAN living abroad
    March 7, 2011

    Well its about time…….when i came here about 5 years ago construction was already taking place.

  35. Arab
    March 7, 2011

    Quite a few people have left Dominica and upon returning home, have commented that they saw no improvement. I have not been home in years but will be home before next election. I pray that on my first drive to the capital that I see change in the infrastructure in our beautiful country.

  36. mouth of the south
    March 7, 2011

    let me suggest they should of tried having 4 lanes,,, one specifically being an emergency lane for ambulance,,, fire trucks,,, police cruisers etc

    • Kazimi
      March 21, 2011

      There are lot of 3 way highways. The center/centre lane is the turning laning for vehicle crossing over. This prevents traffic from slowing down instead a vehicle holding back the rest/

  37. Roots
    March 7, 2011

    80% complete???

    • They got to be kidding
      March 7, 2011

      exactly what i was thinking…if that is 80% done, then what will the quality of the 45km finished project gonna be? Interesting fact!!

  38. Kazimi
    March 7, 2011

    This is good, I am waiting to see what “mouth of the south” have to say about this; however I do hope some Dominicans do find employment in this projet.

    Creole Translations

    Sa sé bon, mwen ka espéré sa “mouth of the South” ni pou di kont sa; mèm-si, mwen hope adan jen Dominik tapé travil en projekt sa-la

  39. John oh
    March 7, 2011

    Great News, not like the crusie ship jetty 20 years later its useless ( 1 ship at a time) Think big Labour.

  40. The truth
    March 7, 2011

    Great news. Well done. We need to keep the roads in good condition so please have dowasco run pipes on the road side rather than underneath. And also use the money they pay the government when they dig the road to fix the road and not use it elsewhere. From now they should be considering movement of all pipes from under roads to the sides if they haven’t yet. Let’s maintain good roads

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