Trinidad & Tobago | Highways

[pacus]

Interesting pics

[Babalawo]

live webcam feed of Churchill Roosevelt highway
http://www.livestream.com/ultimate_s...in=embedplayer

[TrininMD]

Thanks Babalawo!
The web/ traffic cam of the Churchill Roosevelt highway is really cool. This can be very helpful for making travel plans to avoid traffic due to accidents or other incidents. Do you know if this is the first and, or only web/ traffic cam in Trinidad?

[Babalawo]

this is the only one i know of. If i find anymore will be sure to post it here first

[Trini2D Bone]

Just some updates:

Vinci has been awarded the contract to construct an interchange just east of the Aranguez intersection. Connector roads would be built/upgraded to facilitate traffic from both the Aranguez and El Socorro intersections. On the southern side of the highway existing roads would be upgraded and on the northern side a frontage road would be built parallel to and just north of the highway from El Socorro to Aranguez.

This would basically eliminate the need for traffic signals at the El Socorro and Aranguez intersections and commuters coming from POS to south would encounter no signals. Work should begin with the next few weeks and would be completed by late next year.

At that time, work on Package C of the UBH/CRH interchange would start. This last phase involves the construction of a bridge to take the UBH over the CRH. There would also be a bridge similar to the one at Bamboo to deal with local traffic into and out of Grand Bazaar. Other works consist of roundabouts to deal with all the local traffic for Nestle and Grand Bazaar.

I'll try to post some plans for the Aranguez interchange design soon.

[Trini2D Bone]

Hey guys, sorry for the long wait to reply. Been busy.

Anyway, here's the plan for the Aranguez Interchange (It was mentioned in today's budget). If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[TrininMD]

This information was provided in the Trinidad and Tobago 2009/ 2010 Budget speech presented by Karen Nunez-Tesheira, Minister of Finance, Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the Parliment Chamber, Red House, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on Monday, September 7th, 2009.


"We are pleased to announce, that in keeping with our 2020 Vision to provide our citizens with smooth and uninterrupted driving along our main transport corridors, a contract has been awarded to Vinci Construction to construct a flyover at Aranguez. This project, will allow the removal of the traffic lights on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway at this intersection and also at El Socorro. The project when completed in fiscal 2010 will allow commuters to drive from Port-of-Spain to San Fernando without encountering a single traffic light. It is estimated that this project will significantly reduce the travel time between Port-of-Spain and the Churchill Roosevelt Intersection: truly a world class achievement.

This process of modernization of our highway infrastructure through the construction of flyovers and interchanges will continue east along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway to Trincity and beyond. In addition contracts have already been awarded for the continuation of the widening and upgrading of our major highways. In fiscal 2010, we expect to complete the addition of a third lane on the Uriah Butler going south to Chaguanas and on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway going east to Piarco. We will also upgrade the Diego Martin Highway in the Four Roads area and complete the dualling of the South Trunk Road from Gulf City to Mosquito Creek. The dualling of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway between O’Meara and Santa Rosa is also scheduled for completion in fiscal 2010, thus allowing for improved traffic flow all the way to Wallerfield.

Water Taxi Service

Mr. Speaker, we are pleased to report that Phase 1 of the Water Taxi Service between Port of Spain and San Fernando was launched in fiscal 2009, with the inaugural sailing taking place in December 2008. The Water Taxi Service now offers a daily schedule, Monday to Friday, with 8 round trip sailings per day, taking just 50 minutes to travel from North to South in air conditioned comfort. This service has been so successful that almost 2,500 persons now utilize this service on a daily basis and the reviews from satisfied customers have been extremely positive. In fact, for many people, the water taxi is now the preferred mode of transport between North and South Trinidad. Earlier this year, the Water Taxi Service transported its 100,000 th passenger and passenger loads on the San Fernando to Port-of-Spain leg are now in excess of 80 percent of the capacity of the existing interim vessels. The Water Taxi Service also offers a PTSC bus shuttle service within the city of Port of Spain which compliments each sailing. Work is in progress on the development of two additional Water Taxi Terminal Facilities at Point Fortin and Cocorite, as the service expands to meet the growing demand. A contract has been executed with Austal Ships of Australia for the construction of 4 new water taxi vessels, which are expected to arrive in Trinidad towards the end of 2010.

The Trinidad Rapid Rail Transit System

Mr. Speaker, planning and engineering work continued apace on the Trinidad Rapid Rail Project in fiscal 2009. The project will be completed in 4 Phases and Phase I, which entails the Planning and Design Phase, is well underway, and is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2010. After considerable research and analysis and careful consideration of various alternative routes in 2009, the route alignment for the north to south and east to west lines and the station locations have been selected and the main change station for the north to south line will now be located at UWI, St Augustine. In fiscal 2010, the final costing and detailed scope of works for the project will be determined thus allowing the Government to make an informed investment decision on the construction phase of the project.

Public Transport Service Corporation

Mr. Speaker, in 2009 the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) continued its aggressive fleet expansion and renewal programme and acquired 120 new buses. This significant expansion in PTSC’s fleet increased the availability of bus services in suburban, rural and high density residential areas across the country. The PTSC now has a fleet of 310 buses at its disposal for use on over 100 routes in Trinidad and Tobago. This represents an increase of over 250 percent in the number of working buses in the country over the last 5 years. The next and final phase of fleet expansion will increase the number of available buses to 400, which is expected to adequately satisfy travel demand during peak hours and significantly increase the frequency of existing services.

National Highways Programme

Mr. Speaker, as stated last year, the modern mass transit solutions are only part of the comprehensive matrix of transportation initiatives that this Government has implemented. In addition to our Rapid Railway, Water Taxi and new Bus Services, the Government also embarked last year on the planning of the most far-reaching and innovative highway development programme this country has ever envisaged. We have taken our cue from the developed countries of the world, who all built the foundation for their economies on a strong transportation system, including in particular a comprehensive national highway system, without which, development of their interior would have been virtually impossible.

In furtherance of this objective, an international project consultant has been engaged and work is in progress on the finalization of the necessary contract documents and design briefs to allow the invitation of design-build proposals for, and the commencement of construction of several new major highway projects early in fiscal 2010. By the end of March 2010, it is expected that construction will begin on the following new major highway projects:

• The extension of the Solomon Hochoy Highway from San Fernando to Point Fortin;

• The construction of a new highway from San Fernando to Mayaro;

• The extension of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway from Wallerfield to Manzanilla and

• The construction of a Causeway from Mucurapo to Chaguaramas.

Road Maintenance and Upgrade

Mr. Speaker, while we forge ahead with the construction of new roads, we have not forgotten the need to maintain and upgrade our existing stock of roads particularly in residential areas and rural areas. It is expected that up to 1,000 kilometres of existing roads will be upgraded in fiscal 2010, in addition to the construction and replacement of bridges and pedestrian walkovers, repairs to landslips and construction of box drains and sidewalks across the country. It is also expected that in fiscal 2010 the new National Roads Authority will be established."

[Trini1]

Originally Posted by Trini2D Bone

Hey guys, sorry for the long wait to reply. Been busy.

Anyway, here's the plan for the Aranguez Interchange (It was mentioned in today's budget). If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Is this how this 'interchange' is going to look? It just looks like a bridge and some roads! What happened to the alternatives and what about the don miguel road by courts? that doesnt seem like it is included in the package at all. If this is all our own contractors are more than capable of handling this. However at least if this is how it looks, it seems as though it can be done in a short period of time allowing for the final phase of UBH/CHR to be completed also. I remain thankful that I was at least able to see what it would be like. Have you got anymore illustrations of interchange projects spanning eastwards along the CHR highway? I would also love to see the causeway!!!!

[Trini1]

image hosted on flickr

[FromLaVega]

Interesting

[Trini2D Bone]

Originally Posted by Trini1

Is this how this 'interchange' is going to look? It just looks like a bridge and some roads! What happened to the alternatives and what about the don miguel road by courts? that doesnt seem like it is included in the package at all. If this is all our own contractors are more than capable of handling this. However at least if this is how it looks, it seems as though it can be done in a short period of time allowing for the final phase of UBH/CHR to be completed also. I remain thankful that I was at least able to see what it would be like. Have you got anymore illustrations of interchange projects spanning eastwards along the CHR highway? I would also love to see the causeway!!!!

Actually it is just "a bridge and some roads". But it is based on one of the alternatives, it's just a variation of one of them. It was a lot more practical to build one bridge rather than two since the intersections are close to one another. The amount of space that would have been to required to build two full cloverleafs (or even diamond or double roundabout for that matter) would have been huge. And since people build so close to the highway that would have required land acquisition which would have increased the cost a lot.

As for whether local contractors could have done it they are in fact responsible for the construction of the frontage road along the north as well as the upgrade of the existing roads along the south (all the light blue roads) to handle the additional volumes. Vinci is only responsible for the bridge itself. It's possible that a local contractor could have done it but I guess for a larger contractor such as Vinci it would be nothing and would be completed a lot faster. This is only speculation though.

With regard to other interchanges along the CRH, I have no info on any others that are planned aside from what was given in the budget. It seems like the government is more focused on the POS to Central and South route right now and probably later on they would focus on CRH going east. I think I have a couple pics showing alternatives for the causeway. Nothing spectacular but you'll see the alignment they are looking at. I'll try to post those.

[Trini1]

As you have explained it, it makes more sense now. just a few more questions, will the slip roads be elevated and sloping down to meet the highway(like those along the UBH/SHH) or will they be at highway level. will the el soccorro extension road/don miguel road be included in the project or will they remain as they are?

[Trini2D Bone]

Originally Posted by Trini1

As you have explained it, it makes more sense now. just a few more questions, will the slip roads be elevated and sloping down to meet the highway(like those along the UBH/SHH) or will they be at highway level. will the el soccorro extension road/don miguel road be included in the project or will they remain as they are?

I don't know what you mean by slip roads. But if you are referring to the exits and entry ramps then the answer is no. Along the UBH/SHH, all the overpasses are in fact diamond interchanges so the ramps facilitate entry and exit to the highway. In this design the entry and exits are not from the bridge but are from the connector roads. The bridge (dark blue in diagram) would have two approach ramps on either side of the highway and then the bridge itself which would span the highway. All exits and entries would be from the connector roads and roundabouts.

As for the other question, I'm not too sure which road is Don Miguel. If it is the road parallel to and to the west of El Socorro Rd Ext. then yes this would be upgraded as well. On the northern side however none of the roads will be upgraded. Only a new frontage road will be constructed parallel to the highway just north of it as seen in the diagram.

[Trini1]

Cool I understand, as long as helps with the congestion.

[Trini1]

$19b highway project set to begin
Aretha Welch awelch@trinidadexpress.com

Thursday, October 22nd 2009



Starting next month drivers can breathe a 'partial' sigh of relief, as the first phase of the $19 billion National Network of Highways Project is set to begin.

The project is to be the Government's biggest tool in this country's fight against the much bemoaned "bumper to bumper traffic" and "crater sized potholes" which plague motorists all over the country.

However the entire project will only come to fruition "just prior (to the year) 2020."

According to representatives of the National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (NIDCO), this project is being set up to provide the citizens with over 400 kilometres of new and improved highways. The project was officially launched by Minister of Works Colm Imbert at the Hilton Trinidad yesterday.

The project will consist of three phases, which are all to "be developed prior to 2020." The process by which NIDCO will procure the necessary contractors for the project was made public during the launch.

During yesterday's launch the Government-hired consultant who will be overseeing the project, AECOM, and over 100 prospective contractors were present.

Officials from NIDCO said of the more than 100 contractors present, showing their interest in the project which will call on the expertise of dozens of contractors, architects, engineers and workmen, 75 per cent were local.

According to Imbert, phase one will deliver 241 km of highway development and has been subdivided into seven packages.

The first set of Requests for Proposal (RFP) will be issued by NIDCO on December 15 for the San Fernando to Princes Town and Debe to Golconda leg, as well as the Princes Town to Mayaro section and the much publicised Causeway from Mucurapo to Chaguaramas.

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors' Association, Mikey Joseph, told reporters following the launch that while the project was indeed one of the Government's most "ambitious," he sees it as an opportunity for local players in the construction and design industry to get involved whether it be as solo players or via consortium and joint ventures.

Just one thing, shouldn't the Point Fortin-Sando highway take priority over Princes Town-Mayaro highway. I see they only building the Golconda-Debe segment. Anyway I just hope they actually keep to their word and start building when scheduled to lol.

[davsot]

How is Trinitrain coming along? Lest not we forget about offering equal transit options to all. Naw, I'm just a rail junkie. But it would be nice what your opinions are about Trinitrain.

[Trini1]

davsot- http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...=438730&page=4.

you can scroll down and have a look at some of the stuff I think there is a link too- http://wsp-pmctt.com/

I'm all for the trinitrain, it means an alternative form of transport and a step further to development. No traffic jams on trains and in general I love trains too I think we will be seeing the double decker trains too.

[onstarr2009]

Hey how about this idea. To increase traffic capacity on the existing main road along the east-west corridor, the government could implement one way flow. For example, we have the East Main Road and the Priority Bus Route. The EMR can become three to four lanes westbound. And, the PBR can become three or four lanes eastbound. These two roads are virtually paralleled to each other and some one to two block apart. How about that. Just keep it simple.

Incidentally, the T&T Rapid Rail system or Metro Train can implement above grade along the populated Priority Bus Route.

[davsot]

@Trini1: Sadly, the on the webpage you gave, the first pdf is titled Rapid Railway may be put on hold

[Trini1]

@davsot I was disappointed when i read it too but its undecided so there is still hope!
I must say im impressed with the Jamaica Highway 2000, i love how they have a European motorway feel to the system and i prefer this to the interstates of the US. I guess i take to the blue more so than the green.



This is the motorway symbol used in much of Europe and countries such as Singapore, New Zealand, Pakistan.

Overhead sign should be implemeted too:





An active traffic management could be implemented once the national network of highways is up and running like the one shown below on the M42 Birmingham, UK. However it may prove to be too costly, but overhead signs and Driver instruction panels(illustrated both below and above) will prove handy if accidents occur allowing drivers to be noted and thus enable them to use alternative highways or routes.