Khan: ‘Interchange in 2005’

Commuters can rest assured that construction of the Uriah Butler Highway/Churchill-Roosevelt High-way Interchange will begin by 2005. This was revealed yesterday by Works and Transport Minister Franklin Khan when he spoke at a breakfast seminar hosted by the British Caribbean Chamber of Commerce at the Hilton Trinidad. The seminar was held to discuss TT’s national transportation plan. Khan indicated that planning and systems were the two main areas lacking, as the last national transportation study was conducted in 1967. He pointed out however that a national transportation plan was being conducted, for a period of 18 months, during which the mass transit service component was being fast tracked. Khan also addressed the issue of optimising the transport system, pointing out that the Priority Bus Route (PBR) was a commuter’s salvation.

In the same breath, however, he said that the PBR could no longer service the needs of a growing population. He therefore suggested that there be more buses, and the phasing out of 12-seater maxi-taxis for 25-seater maxi-taxis. Khan said that an order was placed to Brazil last month for buses with a carrying capacity of 110 passengers, and this is expected to take six months to process. Another problem he said the PBR was facing was the issuing of too many PBR passes to private vehicles, saying that there was a need for substantial reduction. While these problems are not easy to solve, Khan said measures were still being implemented to alleviate the situation. He also said that PTSC services were meant to help with transportation, but he believed that the organisation caused its own demise, as it is badly run. The main aspect highlighted was the expansion of the nation’s roads.

“Not a single kilometre of road has been constructed in Trinidad after the Solomon Hochoy Highway.” To add to this, the TT vehicle population had grown by leaps and bounds, and there has been no move to accommodate this growth. As such, road construction in areas such as Point Fortin, San Fernando to Mayaro, as well as Wallerfield to Manzanilla, has begun. While recognising the importance of the Interchange, Khan felt that “scientifically, a third lane on the Uriah Butler Highway was more important than an interchange right now.” Khan also spoke on the flooding situation that has become rampant in TT over the past few weeks. He said he was “convinced” that his ministry was doing a good job and felt the Drainage Division was one of the better run departments in the Ministry of Works and Transport. He said that a major programme has been started in order to increase channel capacity through the walling and paving of  rivers. Khan assured the gathering that measures were being taken to address these problems.