Traffic Nightmare In Ochi

Road repairs during peak-hour traffic sparked major delays and mounting frustration in Ocho Rios on Thursday morning, with students, teachers, workers and other motorists caught in the chaos.

For some commuters, what should have been a routine morning journey turned into hours of frustration.

Minutes before 10 a.m., several Ocho Rios High School students were seen getting out of a taxi stuck in traffic near the pier. They chose to walk the remaining distance to school, estimated at about half a mile.

One parent said the traffic disruption had also affected Ocho Rios Primary School, claiming that a teacher was unable to reach work and had called to report her absence.

Another driver said he left his home in Ocho Rios about 8 a.m. for Brown's Town, but nearly two hours later had only reached the pier on the outskirts of the town.

He said that on a regular day, he could have reached his destination and returned by that time.

“Yuh cyaa fix road inna peak hours! Wha 'bout night work? Ah pure madness dis,” he told The STAR.

As frustration mounted, motorists began using three lanes, adding to the congestion and sparking heated exchanges among some drivers.

The road conditions in Ocho Rios had deteriorated significantly in recent times, and many residents and motorists had welcomed the start of repair work.

However, Thursday's traffic chaos has prompted calls for better management of the work, particularly during peak hours.