Jolyn Bryan & Shanna Monteith, Star Writers

Residents and motorists who use the Lyssons to Port Morant main road are expressing growing concern about a breakaway in the vicinity of the Princess Margaret Hospital that has reduced traffic to single lane.

According to a release from the National Works Agency (NWA), in May, the road was undermined as a result of wave action. Measures were taken to cordon off the area, but residents insist that the gap is widening and the possibility of a fatality occurring due to an accident is a very real danger.

Desmond Douglas, owner of D&D Tyre Sales, which is adjacent to the hole, told The Star that three accidents had already occurred due to the breakaway.

"It started as a funnel, but it progressed. It is about 30 feet by 12 feet now, if not wider," Douglas said.

Road weakness

Douglas recounted that the weakness in the road was first noted when a service truck from the Jamaica Public Service sank after it was parked there in May. Since then, the gap has been filled twice with sand and once with boulders by the NWA, but the material has been washed out to sea by waves.

Douglas insists that temporary measures are not enough, as the widening gap will soon make transport to eastern St Thomas and to the only hospital in the parish impossible.

"It is affecting my business because of the congestion, but the greater issue is that the hospital is right there. What would happen to people who need to get there urgently, who have emergencies and aren't aware of the conditions?" he asked.

There are also growing concerns about the complete destruction of the road in the event of a hurricane.

Senior communications manager of the NWA, Colin Morrison, told The Star that the agency is very aware of the pressing need, but has to follow the procedure in awarding the contract for the repairs.

"We have had discussions about the matter, and we are now in the process of beginning procurement. We have to go through the proper channels, and depending on the amount that the repairs will cost, a submission may have to be made to the Cabinet," he said.

He also revealed that extensive repairs are needed to fix the gap, including rebuilding and reinforcing the retaining wall.

In the meantime, motorists are being urged to proceed with caution, especially at nights when visibility is poor.