Residents along the Gros Islet to Castries corridor in Saint Lucia have grown accustomed to severe traffic congestion as part of their daily commute, but significant infrastructure improvements are poised to transform their travel experience. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre recently announced that major highway reconstruction will likely commence within the first half of this year, bringing both temporary disruptions and long-term solutions.
The comprehensive road improvement initiative encompasses two major projects totaling approximately $33 million in international funding. The centerpiece involves a three-kilometer upgrade transforming the Monchy to Gros Islet highway into a dual carriageway, featuring four modern roundabouts and four pedestrian bridges, financed through a $20 million OPEC Fund loan. Simultaneously, a $13 million Kuwait-funded project will expand the Choc Bridge to Marisule segment into a dual carriageway complete with enhanced drainage systems, culverts, and a new roundabout at the Marisule junction.
Engineering experts note that strategic preparatory work has already been underway to mitigate construction impacts. Kurt Harris, President of the Association of Professional Engineers of Saint Lucia, highlighted that the deliberate widening of alternative routes like Vieux Secreux Road over the past decade will provide crucial alternatives during main highway construction. “People will have alternatives to come off the highway but still be able to get into the Castries area,” Harris told St. Lucia Times.
The current traffic crisis has forced permanent adjustments to daily routines, with some northern residents leaving as early as 7 a.m. for essential errands in Castries. Bus drivers on the island’s busiest route have attempted adaptations through community shortcuts, though these detours have sparked safety concerns among residents and passengers alike.
Harris explained the technical rationale behind the improvements: “The biggest challenge with the traffic on the Gros Islet highway is the number of right turns. From Union, you have at least 40 right turns before reaching Gros Islet. Each right turn breaks the traffic flow, requiring stops in both directions.” The engineered solution involves medians and roundabouts to minimize these disruptive maneuvers while increasing overall traffic capacity.
While the government has not released a detailed construction timeline, officials acknowledge that temporary inconveniences are inevitable. Harris concluded: “Part of development is temporary inconvenience for improvement. Persons need to understand there will be inconveniences, so you try to mitigate them, but they may not be eliminated completely during construction.”