Kingston is bracing for a weekend of gridlock as the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP) stage major rallies in Half-Way Tree and Cross Roads.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will roll out an extensive traffic management plan from 11:00 am on Sunday, August 10 until 12:00 midnight on Monday, August 11, rerouting motorists and restricting access on several major roads in St Andrew.
Half-Way Tree Restrictions – JLP Rally
- Constant Spring Road (Southbound): No access beyond the South Avenue intersection.
- Alternate Routes: South Avenue → Waterloo Road → Trafalgar Road → Holborn Road → Knutsford Boulevard → Lady Musgrave Road → Old Hope Road;
or South Avenue → Burlington Avenue → Molynes Road → Hagley Park Road.
- Alternate Routes: South Avenue → Waterloo Road → Trafalgar Road → Holborn Road → Knutsford Boulevard → Lady Musgrave Road → Old Hope Road;
- Molynes Road (Southbound): Only left turn allowed onto Eastwood Park Road.
- Hagley Park Road to Eastwood Park Road: Left turn only.
- Half-Way Tree Road Access: Via Maxfield Avenue and Eastwood Park Road; alternative loop via Oxford Road, Knutsford Boulevard, Trafalgar Road, Waterloo Road, West Kings House Road, and Constant Spring Road.
- Hope Road to Hagley Park Road: Closed past the Winchester/Surbiton intersection; alternate path via Winchester Road, Ruthven Road, Balmoral Avenue, and Maxfield Avenue.
Parking – Allowed:
- Constant Spring Road (between South Avenue and Courtney Walsh Drive) – west lane only.
- Half-Way Tree Road (between Cargill Avenue and Holy Childhood High School).
Parking – Prohibited:
- Beyond Courtney Walsh Drive.
- On Hope Road, Hagley Park Road, Molynes Road, and Eastwood Park Road.
Cross Roads Restrictions – PNP Rally
- Half-Way Tree Road (Eastbound to Downtown): Closed past Retirement Road.
- Alternate Route: Retirement Road → Studio One Boulevard → Slipe Road.
- Downtown to Half-Way Tree via Orange Street: No access past Torrington Bridge.
- Alternate Routes: Torrington Bridge → Slipe Pen Road → Studio One Boulevard → Retirement Road; or via Heroes Circle to Marescaux Road.
- Old Hope Road: No access past the Eureka Road intersection.
- Alternate Routes:
- To Downtown: Tom Redcam Road → Camp Road → South Camp Road → East Queen Street → East Parade.
- To Cross Roads: Eureka Road → Half-Way Tree Road → Retirement Road → Studio One Boulevard → Slipe Pen Road → Orange Street → King Street → North Parade.
- Alternate Routes:
- Marescaux Road: Closed at Caledonia Crescent.
Parking – Allowed:
- Slipe Road (south of Courts).
- Studio One Boulevard (west lane only).
- Caledonia Crescent (northbound lane).
- Off-roads from Half-Way Tree Road north of Retirement Road.
- Plazas and side streets along Old Hope Road east of Eureka Road.
Parking – Prohibited:
- Half-Way Tree Road, Old Hope Road, and Caledonia Avenue leading to Slipe Road.
Advisory
The JCF is urging motorists to obey detour signs, follow the guidance of officers, and allow additional travel time. With both rallies expected to draw large crowds, commuters should anticipate heavy congestion and plan routes carefully to avoid the most affected areas.
If you want, I can also rewrite this in a shorter, punchier breaking-news format so it reads like a live traffic alert instead of a full breakdown. That would make it hit harder for online publication.
