SIMPSON BAY:--- In June, 2014, the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC) commissioned CH2M HILL, Inc. to perform a traffic study for the Simpson Bay Lagoon Causeway in order to further alleviate traffic congestion in the area of Cole Bay and Simpson Bay. A number of studies were made prior to the construction of the Causeway which strongly pointed to the need for an alternate route.
The traffic study documented that traffic on the new causeway was actually almost 8,500 vehicles per day during this off season study period. This almost reaches the 8,900 volume that was predicted for the high season in 2010. Therefore, it is apparent that the new causeway and bridge is successfully being used by a large number of motorists on a daily basis and is bringing traffic relief during the day to both Union Road and Welfare Road.
The study included video and tube traffic counts for the causeway, Welfare Road and Union Road. A total of 10 traffic count locations were selected as well as the three Roundabouts.
The traffic study also documented that actual traffic volumes on the three roads in June, 2014 (off season) were almost 46,600 vehicles per day versus the 33,700 that was predicted for the high season in 2010. This is almost a 40% increase.
In addition to documenting existing traffic conditions, the study provided certain preliminary recommendations for further improving the traffic flow patterns.
Whereas, the new bridge and causeway are relieving traffic on Welfare and Union Roads to some degree, additional measures can be undertaken to further relieve congestion. These recommendations are under consideration by the relevant authorities.
During the day, the roundabout at A.J.C. Brouwer, Welfare and Union Roads is reaching capacity with almost 50% of the traffic coming and going from A.J.C. Brouwer Road. This round-a-bout sees one vehicle passing every six seconds.
Therefore, improvements on Orange Grove Road and Wellington Road that would allow traffic between Welfare Road and Union Road to bypass the roundabout would bring about traffic relief.
An evaluation has to be made whether parking garages or left turn lanes or back out/parking lanes can allow a more free flow of the through traffic on Welfare and Union Roads.
However, care must be taken to keep from overloading these two side roads. Providing left turn storage lanes at some of the key intersections such as Well Road and Union Road will also relieve congestion.
There also needs to be a review of how geometrics for A.J.C. Brouwer Road Roundabout can be improved and whether the second lane around the aforementioned can safely be restored.
As part of the agreement for the development of the Causeway project, any traffic bottlenecks that would continue would be looked into and a solution found in order to facilitate the free flow of motorized traffic.
It is essential that residents and visitors have a traffic congestion free experience when driving from one area to the next. Visitors come to the island to enjoy what the destination has to offer and don't want to be sitting in traffic un-necessarily.
CH2M Hill, Inc. is a global leader in consulting, design, design-build, operations, and program management. The company employs 26,000 on six continents working on some of the most complex projects on the planet.
The company partners with clients in energy, water, environment and infrastructure to design integrated solutions that deliver lasting value.
Attending the presentation of the traffic study were representatives from the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT), Head of the Traffic Department Police Force Sint Maarten, Community Police Officer for Cole Bay and Simpson Bay, port officials, and Dam Caribbean Engineering.
