Road markings and black liquid paper

I have a few pet peeves to highlight, and hope that someone somewhere may actually do the right things to correct them. I am focusing on the areas I use often, the North West of Trinidad. So here goes:

Woodbrook — White road markings and black liquid paper?

Since the attempted and reverted traffic plans were done in Woodbrook etc, it seems that black paint is all that we can do to cover over the very permanent white markings that were applied. I don’t know if you all have noticed, but the black is rubbing off, so when a motorist swings into a street that appears to be two-way, they are also seeing clearly white markings on the road, that are telling them otherwise. I am waiting to see what life taking accident will take place, or someone sued the Government after an accident for clearly confusing and opposite roadway markings and instructions being visible on the roads. Might I suggest that some sort of grinding equipment be used to remove the white markings, and reapply them so that no costly or life taking events occur, and so the motorist can clearly see what the road/lane is about. Who’s responsible for this?

Diego Martin Highway: Diego Martin Highway is in need of the white lines being refreshed, they are faded and nearly absent in some places. The reason for white lines, is to guide road users as to where the lanes and shoulders are. Who’s responsible for this?

La Estancia Drive: Kudos to the divisions and the ODPM for clearing up the major landslides that occurred a couple months ago. Shame on the drainage and other corporations for doing nothing else afterwards. This street is being badly eroded by water coming down from the new watercourse created by the landslide. Residents are told that there are plans in the works (there always are plans right?) However some minor drain clearing, and some minor curb repairs will stop this on-going roadway deterioration. But I guess in true Trini style and fashion, instead of doing the affordable remedial works required, some contractor will get paid millions, when the entire roadway is destroyed.

Residents have made numerous calls to the Diego Martin Regional Corporation, but they seem to be just enjoying their cushy jobs, and doing next to nothing with their resources. Who’s responsible for this?

Glencoe: At the same time that La Estancia and other areas suffered the massive landslides, a section of roadway on the La Horquette Valley Road, was washed away, and it took nearly two weeks to repair and restore this roadway. If you go there today, you will see that no retaining wall was rebuilt to contain the repaired roadway, and guide the watercourse on it way. So what we are all waiting on is another big rainfall, and the road will once again be destroyed and washed away. Who is responsible for this utter negligence? Who is the person in charge of ensuring a complete and proper job is done? Who is making sure our taxpaying dollars are spent? Surely these people need to be fired, as they are incompetent. Who’s responsible for this?

St Lucien Road: This road from KFC, all the way to the other end, was subject to the installation of a new WASA main about two years ago, and then the roadway was repaved, at great inconvenience to all that use this road, but it looked like there would be good results and a good road at the end of the day. I am sure this project costs many millions of dollars. If you drive down this road today, you will find no less than 150 areas where repairs have been done by WASA, and every week there is a new leak somewhere, and another area being dug up. It appears to me that WASA still does not know what it is doing, as surely these brand new lines cannot be rotted. Is it that the pipes were laid badly? Or is it that WASA has no control over the water pressure they feed into this main?

C Bourne

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