A Safe Sidewalk For The Physically Challenged In Portmore

Pedestrians and members of the physically challenged community will be able to traverse safely along George Lee Boulevard in Portmore, with construction of a new sidewalk along the thoroughfare.

The disabilities-friendly sidewalk has ramps at both ends to better accommodate individuals using canes and wheelchairs.

Its construction formed part of the Portmore Municipality’s Labour Day (May 23) project, which saw members of the community and corporate sponsors volunteering their service to paint the sidewalk.

His Worship the Mayor of Portmore Leon Thomas, said the project was necessary as many physically challenged residents and students traverse the roadway.

“Before there was no sidewalk and they had to be competing with the motor vehicles,” he said, and so the municipality saw it fit to make certain the residents were taken out of harm’s way.

He pointed out that the project has two phases, the first of which his team worked on at George Lee Boulevard on Monday (May 23).

“The second phase will take you from the intersection of the Big Buy Plaza [Portmore Mall], through Portsmouth and onto Waterford,” he disclosed.

Phase two is scheduled to begin between August and September.

Meanwhile, Branch Manager for Sodality Cooperative Credit Union (COK) Portmore Branch, Mr Roger Limsang, said the union partnered with the municipality as a sponsor, as part of their corporate social responsibility.

“For many years COK has always been involved in Labour Day projects, whether schools or communities, and because we work so closely with the municipality, we decided to be a part of this project this year, to make it safer for the pedestrians,” Mr. Limsang said.

Additional sponsors included Family Tree Hardware, Hardware and Lumber- Rapid True Value and Hardline Construction Limited.