Bartlett Wants Traffic Routed Outside Mobay’s Elegant Corridor

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has recommended that the aesthetic beauty and significance of the North Coast’s Elegant Corridor be preserved, and an alternative route found to handle the high volume of traffic in the area.
Mr. Bartlett suggested a bypass for the traffic of mainly articulated vehicles instead, using Fairfield through Adelphi, Watson Town, Dumfries to Hague, Trelawny.
He said that this is important in light of the fact that the Elegant Corridor is being constructed in an area that is heavily motorised, with over 8,000 vehicles traversing the area daily.
“I believe that this corridor must be relieved of this type of traffic flow in order to preserve it, and allow for the eastern interior of St. James to be opened up for developments, such as housing and commerce,” Mr. Bartlett said.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (centre) and Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Godfrey Dyer (second right) turning the sod at the tree planting ceremony for Montego Bay’s St. James Elegant Corridor at Ironshore,Friday (September 11).

The Tourism Minister was addressing participants at a tree planting ceremony for the Elegant Corridor, at Ironshore, Montego Bay St. James, on Friday (September 11).
He noted that, in time, the Corridor will be buzzing with economic activities, therefore efforts should be made to avoid the risk of it becoming a “death trap” because of vehicular traffic.
“I strongly believe that Montego Bay needs a bypass to relieve, not only this corridor, but the City of Montego Bay of the present traffic congestion across the town and on its outskirts,” Mr. Bartlett said.
He said that the areas near the airport entrance will be transformed into a majestic entrance to the corridor, “so that, whenever one enters the City, from any end, you must know that you are entering the Elegant Corridor of Montego Bay City.”

Minister of Tourism Honourable Edmund Bartlett (Centre) symbolically waters a tree he planted at the Elegant Corridor Tree Planting Ceremony at Ironshore St. James on Friday (September 11).

He pledged to work with all stakeholders, including hotels and other business owners along the Corridor, for the sustainability and maintenance of the project.
He said that, by the start of the Winter Tourist Season, the beautification aspect of the project, including the installments of the lights, should be completed. He also called on the citizens to ensure that the Corridor is protected, and that the plants remain in place to be seen and enjoyed.
His Worship the Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Charles Sinclair, said that the St. James Parish Council had taken a particular interest in the developments of the Corridor, and was ensuring that property taxes were collected across the parish to support the venture.