Ministry of Works officials are expected to hold a news conference tomorrow to update the public on the progress of the New Providence Road Improvement Project (NPRIP) and how the many road closures and diversions will affect the opening of the school year.

Deputy Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis is expected to provide a complete update on the road project and map out routes for motorists who would have to brave early morning traffic as all schools officially open their doors.

Many of the major thoroughfares have been closed for much of the summer months as the ongoing road works continue, but heading into a new school year, many motorists are getting nervous about a possible traffic nightmare.

“I guess I will have to wake up at 4:00 a.m. and be on the road by 5:00 a.m.,” one mother said. “I know that sounds utterly ridiculous, but with the way these roads are, I don’t think my normal 6:30 a.m. leaving time will do.”

“I’m travelling from the east and I know I will be in for one hell of a ride.”

Another parent, who said he has to drop his four children to three different schools each morning, added that he not looking forward to Monday morning.

“This is going to be something else,” he said. “I am not interested at all, but I have to take my kids to school, how else will they get there?

“I think these roads should have been opened, at least the main ones, in time for school. There are too many closures, too many diversions and I’m just hoping there are no accidents.”

According to the latest traffic alert Old Trail Road and Prince Charles Drive has been closed in an effort to complete underground and paving works before the start of the new school year.

Motorists now have to use Grace Avenue and St. Michael’s Road as alternate routes.

The Marathon Road and Wulff Road roundabout remains closed to vehicular traffic in order to complete paving works.

Other key roads that are closed are the Marathon Road and Wulff Road roundabout, Kemp Road and Prince Charles Drive and Prince Charles Drive, between Old Trail Road and Soldier Road.

“This is going to kill us,” another mother and driver added. “There are too many road closures and these are the main streets. Waking my three-year-old and five-year-old at 5:00 a.m. just to take them to school 15 minutes away shouldn’t even be an option for me but, this is my reality, thanks to these road works.”

The news conference is set to begin at 12:30 p.m.

Afterwards the minister will take the media on a bus tour to give a firsthand look at the project.