JUST in time for the reopening of school, from 5 am on Monday, drivers and commuters would be able to access a 4 km segment of the San Fernando to Point Fortin highway.

The new road is expected to allow commuters to shave 30 minutes off their travel times.

Speaking at a media conference to open the section of the highway between Grant’s Road and the new La Brea interchange on Sunday, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said it was “almost 98 per cent complete.”

He said the remainder of the highway, from San Fernando to the Dunlop Roundabout in Point Fortin, would be operational by September 30.

He estimated that it could save drivers between 60 and 90 minutes on their commute between the city and borough.

he said nine of the 12 segments of the highway project had been completed, with only minor work to done on the remaining three.

Sinanan said the opening of the Grant’s Road to La Brea interchange segment was a promise made to the Point Fortin taxi drivers and residents to give them access to the highway for the reopening of school on Monday.

“We wanted to keep our promise to them.”

Sinanan said, when the highway is fully opened, “If you leave San Fernando, within 20 minutes you would be able to reach Dunlop Roundabout, Point Fortin.”

“The access will save about an hour on the highway. I know commuters will welcome that.”

Once the entire highway is operational, Sinanan said his ministry could focus on rebuilding the Southern Main Road (SMR) to bring it up to an acceptable standard.

[caption id="attachment_1033624" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Leon Richards sprays the white lines on a portion of the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway near the La Brea Interchange on Sunday in preparation for the opening of that section of the highway to the public on Monday. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]

Reminding that Sunday’s opening was a partial one of the highway, Sinanan said two spots would have to be bypassed as they headed to the September 30 opening date.

He said one delay was caused by the existence of gas lines just beyound the La Brea Interchange for which solutions were being sought by engineers. He also noted challenges at Mosquito Creek after part of the roadway collapsed in 2021.

“At Mosquito Creek, we are in the final stages with the new design. That is a technical part of the entire project.”

He said Government had the Andean Development Bank for a workable solution after reviewing a report on the collapse.

“We are hoping to have that solution confirmed within the next month, and once confirmed, that piece would continue. But even as we speak, work is ongoing on the Creek.

“So come September 30, there will be access but a few minor diversions at the bp (gas) line beyond the La Brea interchange, and then at the Creek.

“From the La Brea roundabout, we will go back to the SMR for just about three minutes and then we rejoin the highway to Point Fortin.”

Sinanan said the project, which started in 2011 and was steeped in controversy as contractors were fired and t