Westbound buses will in future drive along the Esplanade instead of around the Castle Street roundabout thanks to the installation of a new ‘bus gate’ at the corner of La Route de la Liberation and Gloucester Street.
Work will begin next week to create a priority route for westbound buses that is expected to shave five minutes off bus journeys at peak times.
There will no road closures during this first phase of work, which will start on Monday 6 October and run until January.
The ‘Western Bus Gate’ is a “public realm scheme” which will see the installation of a bus gate at the western end of the Esplanade, where it meets La Route de la Liberation and Gloucester Street.
It aims to give westbound buses a priority route and reduce congestion at Castle Street roundabout by redirecting buses along the Esplanade.
The scheme also hopes to slow traffic at the Liberation and Esplanade junction with a raised crossing for pedestrians and cyclists, and will feature a bus shelter and new street furniture.
Liberty Bus director Kevin Hart said: “We are extremely excited with the western bus gate development and anticipate this will take up to five minutes off journeys at peak times heading west when the scheme is completed.
“Working in partnership with Government of Jersey to develop schemes like this is essential if we as an island are serious about taking cars off the road and reducing our carbon footprint.”
Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan added: “This scheme should give west-bound buses a much quicker route, reducing congestion at Castle Street roundabout. We will also be improving the areas look and feel with more greenery, a bus shelter, and street furniture.
“The work is being done in three phases, the first phase of works is expected to run until January and there should be no impact to traffic or pedestrians during this.
“I look forward to the project getting underway so that islanders can benefit from the improvements this will bring.”