Dr Andre Haughton, People’s National Party Representative for West Central St. James, is calling on the government to urgently address the escalating traffic crisis affecting Montego Bay, particularly in the Granville, Tucker, and Retirement corridor, as well as the wider town.

Haughton in a statement on Thursday, November 14, said residents and commuters face mounting frustration as gridlock and delays disrupt their daily routines, impacting productivity and posing health and safety risks.

He said the traffic situation has reached crisis levels, especially at key bottlenecks like the Granville/Tucker/Retirement corridor and the Vista Print intersection.

Haughton stressed that action must be taken immediately to prevent this from worsening.

“I am committed to addressing this issue with urgency,” Haughton said. “My team and I will be working closely with Councillor Troupe and the relevant traffic authorities to identify solutions and bring relief to our community.”

Residents have highlighted several key issues:

• Severe traffic bottlenecks at intersections like the Vista Print intersection and the northbound Fairfield route, where vehicles struggle to merge, creating hazardous conditions.
• Limited enforcement of traffic regulations, leading to chaotic congestion, particularly during peak hours.
• Public health and safety concerns, with increased risk of accidents or delayed emergency response due to gridlock.
• To address these issues, Dr. Haughton is proposing the following immediate actions:
• Engagement with the Traffic Authority for a comprehensive review of traffic flow and adjustments at critical intersections.
• Collaboration with law enforcement and the Community Development Committee (CDC) to strengthen traffic law enforcement and manage congestion during peak times.
• Stakeholder meetings with local businesses, schools, and public transport operators to coordinate solutions, such as improved signaling, temporary rerouting, or an increased presence of traffic officers.

“This is a time for unity and action,” Haughton urged. “Montego Bay deserves leaders who listen and act before crises escalate. I am calling on all relevant authorities to prioritize these concerns and join us in implementing solutions to restore a smoother, safer commute for our residents. Together, we can make Montego Bay’s roads safer and bring peace back to our daily lives.”