A comprehensive parliamentary investigation has revealed severe systemic failures in Trinidad and Tobago’s traffic management system, with Wrightson Road in Port of Spain emerging as a critical pain point. The Joint Select Committee’s final hearing on traffic efficiency uncovered multiple dimensions of the transportation crisis affecting major corridors across the nation.
The inquiry identified several problematic zones including Chaguaramas, the southbound lane of Uriah Butler Highway, and various districts in South Trinidad and Chaguanas. Committee member Phillip Alexander highlighted the daily gridlock on Wrightson Road between 3-6 PM, demanding accountability from the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) regarding its impact on traffic flow.
Alexander proposed strategic interventions including staggered port operating hours, scheduled heavy vehicle movements, and enhanced collaboration with business stakeholders. He specifically recommended restricting trucks over five tonnes during peak periods and implementing gate closures at strategic times.
Port of Port of Spain acting CEO Candice Baptiste defended the facility’s operations, revealing that 92% of truck movements occur outside peak hours with an average throughput of 17 trucks hourly. Baptiste cautioned against rigid scheduling, emphasizing the port’s role as an interconnected ecosystem that cannot control cargo reception timelines. She warned that restrictive measures might impose additional costs on businesses and logistics providers.
Transport Ministry engineers presented a broader perspective, identifying Chaguaramas port operations and seasonal festival traffic as compounding factors. Chief Engineer Anande Piggott described Chaguanas as a particularly complex case where commercial growth has dramatically outpaced road infrastructure development. The proliferation of unauthorized taxi stands emerged as a persistent challenge, with relocation efforts often disadvantaging vulnerable commuters and students.
Transport Commissioner Clive Clarke attributed the crisis to deficient development planning, noting that road infrastructure has failed to keep pace with commercial expansion and vehicle population growth. He emphasized that strengthened law enforcement, including rigorous driver licensing and vehicle inspections, could significantly alleviate congestion.
Officials acknowledged institutional challenges including staffing shortages that hamper inter-agency coordination. The ministry emphasized ongoing efforts to modernize transportation infrastructure through police collaboration and public consultation processes. Chief Traffic Warden Neville Sankar revealed critical manpower deficiencies, noting complete absence of traffic wardens in Tobago and insufficient coverage in Trinidad.
The committee concluded that solving Trinidad’s traffic woes requires multi-faceted approaches addressing infrastructure deficits, enforcement mechanisms, and behavioral changes among motorists.