Traffic gridlock hits St Ann again

What was expected to be a festive and fun-filled day turned into a frustrating ordeal for hundreds of motorists on Sunday, August 3, as traffic congestion leading into Discovery Bay brought parts of St. Ann to a standstill.

The gridlock, triggered by the staging of the popular Best Weekend Ever beach event at Puerto Seco Beach, left citizens fuming and prompted widespread outcry.

For many, the hours-long standstill caused frustration and chaos. Irate drivers created makeshift lanes, to beat the seemingly never-ending lines of traffic. There were also reports of missed flights and delayed travel for both residents and tourists. Social media lit up with posts and videos showing the pileup along the corridor.

The Best Weekend Ever team has since issued a public statement acknowledging the issue. The organizers said a Traffic Management Plan was implemented in partnership with private security and government agencies but admitted that the corridor’s limited capacity played a major role in the day’s congestion.

The release noted that the traffic congestion was because of the increased travel along the single-lane corridor that services both local communities and event attendees. The team stressed their commitment to responsible planning and revealed that discussions are already underway with authorities to explore long-term traffic and infrastructure solutions going forward.

Residents, however, argue that more immediate and effective crowd control and transport coordination should have been in place ahead of the event.

As the rest of the weekend’s festivities unfold, organizers are urging patrons to be responsible and abide by traffic regulations. Meanwhile, citizens in St. Ann are calling for a more balanced approach one that allows for patrons to enjoy themselves while respecting the daily lives and needs of local citizens.