Twenty per cent traffic increase expected

Chad Bryan, Staff Reporter

China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHECH) says that as part of its preparation for Rebel Salute 2015, slated for this Friday and Saturday in Priory, St Ann, there will be an increase in police presence on the new Linstead/Moneague leg of the North-South Highway as well as the provision of wrecker services.

The festival, which is slated to be held at Grizzly's Plantation Cove, Priory, St Ann is about 60 mile away from Kingston. High-energy performances from artistes such as Sizzla, Richie Spice, Bugle, I-Wayne and Raging Fyah are expected to pull in thousands of persons. It is anticipated that many of the patrons will be travelling from Kingston and returning home after each night comes to an end.

The increase in police personnel will be done to target speeding motorists and drunk drivers, in order to prevent motor vehicle accidents along the highway. The latter is despite Rebel Salute being an alcohol-free event, where no liqour is sold.

"There will be an increase police presence along the highway for speeding vehicles and persons with high alcohol levels, so they are recommending persons not to drink and drive. There will also be the use of a wrecker service in the event of cars developing faults," said CHECH's regional communications manager, Jennifer Armond.

She naturally anticipates that there will be an increase in the number of vehicles traversing the thoroughfare during this period.

"I would think that if there are more people going to a reggae concert there will be more traffic on the highway. We are hoping for a 20 per cent increase traffic and revenue," Armond said.

In the past, Rebel Salute has drawn large crowds. At its previous staging at the Port Kaiser Sports Complex in St Elizabeth the volume of cars reduced traffic to a snarl, the situation being eventually addressed and rectified. There have been no similar traffic snags at the current venue, which is just off the highway.

Armond explained that all stops will be pulled in order to facilitate the free flow of increased traffic. This includes the rolling out of equipment previously had by Bouygues Travaux Publics Construction Company.