Traffic changes for Brown’s Town, Ocho Rios, St Ann’s Bay

The St Ann Municipal Corporation (SAMC) will implement traffic changes in Brown’s Town, Ocho Rios, and St Ann’s Bay as of Friday, December 20, to accommodate smooth traffic flow during the festive season.

The changes will remain in effect until January 1, 2020.

Brown’s Town

There will be a detour for vehicles entering the town from the north coast at the ‘Keep Left’ sign at the Cool Oasis service station in an easterly direction along Huntley Avenue.

Vehicles will then turn on to Liberty Drive and continue through Orange Hill to Top Road.

Commuters will also be given the option of turning down to St Hilda’s Drive, where they can park on the side of the street or go directly to the municipal car park. Public passenger vehicles (PPVs) will also be able to access the transportation centre from St Hilda’s Drive.

Commuters who choose to continue to Top Road will be able to turn left if they are going to Alexandria or turn right if they are going to Brown’s Town, Standfast, or Trelawny.

Light vehicles destined for Standfast and Trelawny will make a left turn at South Avenue to Musgrave Square, while heavy-duty and other traffic bound for the town centre will continue along Main Street and turn left at the market.

Vehicular traffic from Trelawny, Brown’s Town, or Alexandria destined for the north coast will be able to use the same route in the reverse direction – travelling around the town instead of through the town.

No parking will be allowed on the Main Road between the Cool Oasis service station and the intersection to Minard Hill.

Addison Park is to be used as a paid-parking area.

Other Traffic Activities

Signs will be posted strategically along the detour route to guide motorists.

Police personnel will be present to assist with the monitoring of traffic, to give information, as well as to ensure the safety of citizens.

One-way traffic flow will be from the shopping mall to the courthouse. Left turn only will apply from Alexandria to the courthouse.

Vending arrangements

On Christmas Eve, traffic rerouting will be strictly enforced so that the town will be able to accommodate the large number of pedestrians and vendors who attend the Christmas Eve festival in the town each year.

Vending will be allowed in the town in areas designated for vending, including Market Street on December 23, 2019, to December 28, 2019.

Ocho Rios traffic changes

* One way from Main Street along Old Buckfield Road, exiting at the transportation centre.

* No left turn for vehicles exiting the Ocho Rios Market car park and Rexo Plaza on to Main Street.

* No exit from James Avenue at the clock tower.

* No right turn from Point Plaza/Simmonds Plaza on to Main Street.

* No entry from Bent’s Battery on to Main Street.

* No parking in front of Juici Patties and Kamal’s.

* Bus parking only signs from the craft market across from Burger King up to Gem Palace.

* Newlin Street will accommodate two-way traffic to alleviate traffic build-up on DaCosta Drive.

* No entry into the Eight Rivers Plaza from the Bypass (at Buckfield entrance) and Graham Street.

Vending arrangements

Market Street will be closed to vehicular traffic to facilitate vending during the period December 23-28.

St Ann’s Bay traffic changes

* From Marcus Garvey Way (i.e., at intersection of Main Street) – one way in a northerly direction.

* Park Avenue will be operated as a one way, running in a southerly direction from Bravo Street to Windsor Road during the period December 20, 2019-January 1, 2020.

* Left turn only and no-entry signs, facing in a southerly direction, will be erected at corner of Bravo Hill and King Street.

* Main Street (from the intersection of Church Street to Bravo Street) and Marcus Garvey Way to be closed to vehicular traffic on Christmas Eve only.

* Vehicles entering the town from the hospital roundabout will divert right on to Church Street and proceed on to Royes Street/Warren Street/Davis Street and exit on to Gully Road on Christmas Eve only.

* Alternative parking to be arranged at the car park on Marcus Garvey Way.

* Vending on Market Street from December 23-28.

* Bravo Street to accommodate two-way traffic from December 20,2019-January 1, 2020.

Vending arrangements

Vendors are being reminded that there are public health requirements relating to preparation and sale of food. They should, therefore, consult the health department or clinics in their areas before completing arrangements for the sale of food to the public.