The Editor, Sir:

The Portmore leg of Highway 2000 was opened by the Ministry of Transport and Works in a rush. The reason for this was any delay whatsoever by the Government would attract a financial compensation payable to the operators, based on the contractor's agreement. The revenue necessary to make the project a success depended on the Portmore leg of the highway. Therefore, there could be no delay to facilitate the needed upgrading of the supporting roads leading to/from the highway.

Based on the design, the minister and his team of technocrats knew of the existing infrastructural flaws and chose to ignore them even when pointed out to them by concerned citizens such as myself. There is no need for any apologies. Any apology now would not be sincere but only a public relation gimmick.

Financial consequences

The proper upgrading of the Mandela Highway to an infra-structure that will make it a suitable alternative route to the tolled causeway will have huge financial consequences for the Government. The operators of the highway will not allow this to happen and a clause in the contract gives them this protection. In any event, Mandela Highway cannot be widened beyond Caymanas as the Highway 2000 flyover has left space beneath for only two lanes of traffic. What they are prepared to do, however, is to expand the exit/entrance ramp for the Spanish Town leg to make it much easier for the users.

This is necessary as the current congested Mandela Highway means that they will be paying to get stuck in traffic. It will not solve the problems of congestion. the toll roads in Jamaica are designed to finally generate revenue. The toll roads are destined for failure because they were built on deceptions.

Lack of communication

Deceptions, because the Government never informed the people of what they were doing and ignored them in a disdainful manner when they sought dialogue; deceptions because they said one thing and did something entirely different. A case in point is the Dyke Road. What sort of engineer would design a high-speed road without a soft shoulder or lay-by?

This deception for a toll road must be corrected, until then, no toll should be collected until each user is able to experience value for their money. Traffic jams should be free wherever they occur, regardless of the cost of the road.

I am, etc.,

HOWARD HAMILTON

8 Logwood Place

Portmore Pines

St. Catherine