Traffic changes, Grand Market announcements for MoBay in Christmas 2024
Published:Monday | December 16, 2024 | 12:08 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon says several traffic changes are to take place in the western city during the Christmas season, and additional spaces granted to vendors to ply their wares during the highly anticipated Grand Market period.
Speaking at last Thursday’s monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC), Vernon said, “Our traffic management plan has been meticulously planned, and this plan is designed to address the anticipated increase in traffic and to facilitate a seamless flow, to avoid gridlock along our major roadways. Effective December 16, certain roads will be temporarily closed to manage traffic flow more effectively.”
He added, “No right turn will be permitted from Dudley Kassin Drive onto Barnett Street, so Dudley Kassin Drive will only facilitate a left turn in and a left turn out. The bus bay along Howard Cooke Boulevard will also be closed, so there will be no stopping along that roadway, and transport operators heading from Freeport are to head towards the vicinity of Pier One, where they are allowed to disembark passengers.”
Additionally, there are plans to adjust the traffic signals in and around Montego Bay, to increase traffic flow along Howard Cooke Boulevard, Alice Eldemire Drive, Bogue Road, St James Street, Union Street, and Church Street. These adjustments will be accompanied by parking enforcement guidelines to prevent the reduction of traffic lane capacity, particularly along Barnett Street, St James Street, Union Street, and Church Street.
Concerning the Grand Market activities in Montego Bay, which will run from December 24 to 31 between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 a.m. daily, Vernon urged vendors to register with the municipal corporation to secure their potential zones at which to ply their wares.
“This vibrant event will be held along St James Street, in Sam Sharpe Square, and in all approved vending areas within the city, and I encourage our micro and small entrepreneurs to be considerate and orderly while using the space. Additionally, all micro entrepreneurs vending on the street during the Grand Market must be registered to sell on these special days, and registration will commence on Monday, December 16 and run through to December 24,” said Vernon.
“I encourage all interested vendors to visit the Commercial Services Department at the StJMC during this period to secure their spots. An annual vending licence will not be required to be registered for those days,” Vernon added. “Having considered some of the challenges of this year, including Hurricane Beryl, the usual Grand Market fee of $5,000 per day will be replaced with a one-off payment of $10,000 for the entire Grand Market season.”