The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority (SLAC) has installed 34 LED energy saving lights along Airport Road from the Airport Causeway round-a-bout as part of beautification and the green trend that its parent company St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies started a few years ago – innovative green thinking.
On Tuesday staff from the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure re-applied the road markings to further enhance road safety when motorists are making the turn.
Dozens of persons also park on the side of the road opposite the runway on a daily basis at nightfall to walk or jog on the Causeway. The low level 60 watt bulb street lights light-up the area where these people park and walk to the Causeway or to and fro into Simpson Bay Village, adding a safety value to the entire experience.
“We are adding value to this area. It comes in terms of safety for the dozens of persons young and old who make use of the Causeway for their daily ritual of walking or jogging. It also enhances road safety as well,” Chief Executive Officer of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies Mark Mingo pointed out on Tuesday.
The Philips brand low level street lights have been installed in such a way that they do not hinder drivers driving along the Airport Road nor aviation traffic.
Reflectors are under consideration to be added to either the guardrails around the two corners or on the centre road mark line of the road further enhancing road safety around this juncture. The Lagoon Authority prefers to take a preventive approach where safety is concerned.
The lights were installed several weeks ago and have been tweaked so they do not cause any driving impairment to road users.
The St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies innovative green thinking includes wind and solar energy. The companies embrace new and innovative ways to exploit different sources of alternative energy in its day-to-day operations.
Port St. Maarten is the only port in the Caribbean to use wind turbines as part of its environmental strategy with the installation of six vertical axis turbines in April 2012. In addition, solar panels have been installed on the roof of the cruise terminal. At the port, electric golf carts are used to take staff and cruise visitors around the facility.