WILLEMSTAD – The government is once again considering the construction of a new road connection toward Jan Thiel, running through the salt pans and a protected natural area in the direction of Bapor Kibra (Mambo). This was confirmed by Minister of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning Charles Cooper.
According to the minister, the proposed new route is intended to provide long-term relief from the increasing traffic congestion on the Caracasbaaiweg, one of the island’s busiest traffic arteries.
Cooper explained that widening the existing Caracasbaaiweg has been studied but has proven to be practically unfeasible. In particular, the area near Luna Park and its connecting intersections presents major spatial constraints, making further expansion of the current road layout extremely difficult.
As a result, the government is revisiting an alternative route that would run across government-owned land near Ceri Spanjol, pass alongside the salt pans, and continue in the direction of Jan Thiel.
The minister acknowledged that parts of the proposed route would pass through or near a conservation area and protected natural zones. As such, the project would require the necessary permits and the completion of all standard environmental and planning procedures. Cooper stated that objections to the plan are to be expected, but emphasized that resistance is unavoidable when seeking a structural solution to longstanding traffic problems.
The construction of the alternative road is not envisaged as a short-term project. Cooper indicated that the process would take at least two years and would likely need to be carried out in multiple phases due to the scale of the project and its financial implications. According to the minister, annual budget constraints make it unrealistic to construct such a road in a single phase.
The renewed consideration of the alternative route highlights the government’s search for sustainable solutions to growing traffic congestion, while balancing infrastructure development with environmental protection.