Traffic Lights Being Installed at Accident-Prone Portmore Intersection

Portmore, St Catherine – The National Works Agency (NWA) has begun installing traffic lights at the busy four-way intersection of George Lee Boulevard and Southern Parade, near the HEART Academy in Portmore — a development being widely welcomed by residents and local officials.

The intersection, long known as a hotspot for vehicular collisions, has been a cause for concern for years. Portmore Mayor Leon Thomas hailed the project as a critical step in improving road safety and traffic management in the growing municipality.

“We have experienced numerous traffic accidents resulting in loss of lives over the years. So this is vital to regulating traffic flow at this intersection. This marks a significant improvement in Portmore,” Mayor Thomas said on Tuesday.

The project, which is being rolled out in phases, is funded through a $20 million contribution from West Indies Home Contractors, following persistent lobbying by the Portmore Municipal Council.

Phase two of the initiative will involve the widening of roads to create dedicated turning lanes, easing congestion for motorists commuting between Waterford, the HEART Academy, and Augusta Drive.

Mayor Thomas also disclosed that discussions are underway to install surveillance cameras at the intersection under the national JamaicaEye programme, aimed at boosting security and traffic monitoring.

In addition, the Portmore City Municipality will lead efforts to extend the sidewalk from South Parade to the Waterford traffic light as part of its Labour Day 2025 activities, further improving pedestrian access and safety.

Residents say the upgrades are long overdue and are hopeful that the new infrastructure will drastically reduce accidents and improve the overall commuting experience in the area.