The soft launch of the flyover at Quay D Roundabout was held, yesterday morning, in Mer Rouge, in the presence of the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, Dr Mohammad Anwar Husnoo, and the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mr Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram.
The Member of Parliament, Mr Mohamad Salim Abbas Mamode; the Lord Mayor of the City Council of Port-Louis, Mr Mahfooz Moussa Cadersaïb; the Chairman of the Road Development Authority, Mr Nazeer Mowlabaccus; and other personalities were also present at the launch.
In a statement after the ceremony, Vice-Prime Minister Husnoo stated that : “It was therefore imperative for Government to implement the project at Quay D, to the tune of some Rs 350 million, to alleviate the huge traffic jam as well as to enhance both safety of vehicles and pedestrians,’’ he said. “The project also comprises a footbridge connecting northbound to southbound Motorway at Quay D, Roche-Bois, to facilitate pedestrian crossing and ensure safety of citizens along the route,”.
For his part, Minister Hurreeram stated that the project kickstarted twelve months back and was almost completed. “The soft launch is being carried out to facilitate works to eliminate the Quay D Roundabout and join the northbound and southbound traffic along the Motorway M2,” he indicated.
He added that the project was expected to be fully completed by the end of April, and expressed confidence that it would relieve drivers and commuters of the daily traffic hassles.
As for the Lord Mayor, he stated that Government, as part of its Road Decongestion Programme, was investing massively to modernise the road network across the country, adding that several projects were under way to alleviate road traffic and improve the lifestyle of the population.
The project, starting from Port Louis Centre to the Port Area along Motorway M2, comprises a single carriageway flyover across Motorway M2, and a traffic scheme with slips lanes on both sides of the Motorway to connect to the Port Area and existing roundabout along Military Road.
It aims at segregating the main traffic along Motorway M2 and traffic accessing the adjoining regions; alleviating the traffic congestion along Motorway M2 and surrounding roads (Marine Road and Military B30 road); providing a better road interface through safer access corridor for logistics within the port area; decreasing travel times and reduce vehicle operating costs; increasing the level of service of the road to enhance both safety of vehicles and pedestrians; and boosting economic development within Port Louis.
