A major infrastructure upgrade project is set to resume on one of Barbados’ key arterial roads this month, bringing short-term travel disruptions in exchange for long-term improvements to the island’s transportation network. The Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW), in collaboration with private construction partner B & R Infrastructure Limited, has announced the restart of paving works on a 4.2-kilometer stretch of Highway 2A – the Ronald Mapp Highway – spanning from the St Thomas Roundabout to the Bucks Road junction in the parish of St Thomas.
Work is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, September 22, with all construction activities limited to overnight hours to minimize disruption to peak commuter traffic. Crews will operate from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night, and the entire project is projected to take three weeks to reach completion, provided favorable weather conditions hold.
To accommodate the paving work, traffic on the affected stretch of highway will be restricted to a single lane during work hours. The southbound lane will be fully closed overnight, with all southbound vehicles redirected through the St Thomas Roundabout to alternate routes. The northbound lane will remain open to through traffic for the duration of the construction period.
Project organizers have confirmed that critical access will be preserved throughout the work: emergency response vehicles, public transportation units, and local residents will retain unimpeded access to the area at all times.
MTW and B & R Infrastructure have issued a series of safety advisories for motorists who still need to travel through the construction zone. Drivers are urged to reduce their speed when approaching the worksite, exercise extra caution when navigating the restricted area, and strictly follow directions posted on official road signs and communicated by on-site traffic control flag persons. Officials also recommend that commuters plan ahead and use alternate routes wherever possible to avoid potential delays.
In a statement released Friday, MTW apologized in advance for the inevitable inconvenience the works will cause to local businesses, residents, and regular road users. The ministry emphasized that the project is a key part of ongoing efforts to upgrade and modernize Barbados’ national road network, and thanked the community for their patience and cooperation as works get underway.