Overladen trucks a burden for NWA

Communications Manager of the National Works Agency (NWA), Stephen Shaw, says the agency is concerned about the number of overladen trucks that continue to roll across the nation's roads.

Speaking with THE STAR along the 10 Miles roadway in Bull Bay, St Andrew, on Thursday, Shaw said this has been a challenge for years, adding that the issue has manifested itself in the corridor between Yallahs, St Thomas, and Kingston "and the warping of the road".

"We have seen the damage, and we have no doubt put the fact of the overladen trucks as part of the problem that we have seen manifested. We have had mobile weight stations, but those are no longer being used. But we may have to look at getting maybe one or two for this particular area," he said.

As Shaw spoke with the news team, several trucks were seen crawling down the roadway, with a few of them obviously overburdened. Shaw said engaging with those who sell the material being transported is crucial.

"The drivers have told me that it's an economic issue for them, as a lot of them are hauling materials for other entities and they get paid based on the tonnage. So the more they carry, is the more money they earn, and what is being paid is not a huge sum of money," he said.

In 2012, the multimillion-dollar Harbour View weigh station was commissioned into service. This was designed to inspect the vehicular weights and safety compliance criteria. Shaw said in addition to the overweight trucks, there is also much concern about the spillage of material along the roadway.

"That, too, is very dangerous because there are stones, sand and gravel, and very often you will see these being spilled around corners. And that in itself is a very dangerous thing because if you try to brake, you can pick up a skid and be in problems. So even the covering of the materials is an issue that we would want to have addressed, and I believe that the persons who are selling the materials, they have an interest and they should assist us in that regard," he said.