Long-awaited changes to Road Town’s traffic patterns will take effect Monday morning, following one final simulation on Sunday to prepare drivers for a new system that leaders say will ease congestion and make the capital more pedestrian-friendly, according to a June 8 press release from the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities.
“All new routes as advertised with the aid of road signage and directional road markings are to be followed,” the press release stated.
Two of the biggest proposed changes include turning Waterfront Drive and DeCastro Street into one-way roads going in opposite directions.
Both lanes on Waterfront will head east, both lanes on DeCastro west.
The traffic flow on much of Main Street will also be reversed.
Previous simulations
In recent weeks, large white arrows have been painted on roads pointing the direction traffic will proceed under the new system, and motorists have already had two opportunities to familiarise themselves with the changes.
On Whit Monday on June 1, a public holiday during which many businesses and government offices were closed, police officers stood on street corners directing traffic as the new rules temporarily took effect.
Some bystanders reported decreased congestion throughout the day, and TWU Minister Kye Rymer said he was pleased with the simulation and was considering only making minimal tweaks before finalising the new rules.
Prior to that, the ministry conducted its first traffic simulation in early March, allowing about 100 participants to drive through town after the 1 p.m. curfew and follow the new traffic directions, while streaming a live Facebook broadcast so that residents at home could view the changes as well.