Dear Editor,
Traffic congestion on St. Maarten is nothing new. For residents, it has long been a daily frustration; for visitors, it is often their first and lasting impression of the island. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Cole Bay–Simpson Bay corridor, an area that once stood as a powerful example of how creative thinking—not massive spending—can solve complex traffic problems.
Many seem to forget that years ago, under the leadership of a former Commissioner, a Civil Servant, Kirt Ruan, was able to execute a simple yet ingenious solution using Welfare Road, Wellington Road, Wringly Street, and Waterfront Road. By effectively creating a mini-roundabout system, a major bottleneck was relieved, traffic flowed more freely, and for years, motorists benefited from reduced delays. That success did not come from building new roads, tunnels, or overpasses—it came from vision, creativity, and the level of leadership willing to let other lights shine in areas where yours did not. Leadership, amongst other things, includes the willingness to try something different when all else fails, even if it’s not your idea.
Today, traffic congestion has returned with a vengeance. But the problem is not primarily a lack of infrastructure; it is a lack of imagination and willingness to experiment. Too often, solutions are presented as sudden, costly projects that fail to fully address the root causes. History has shown us that such approaches often lead to greater expense and compounded problems.
Residents and visitors alike suffer. Getting from Princess Juliana International Airport to almost anywhere on the island can take minutes on a good day and hours on a bad one. Leisure visits become burdensome, businesses outside prime locations lose customers, and the overall quality of life declines. Traffic congestion is not just a Simpson Bay problem—it affects Philipsburg, Sucker Garden, Madame Estate, and extends across both the Dutch and French sides of the island. Any meaningful solution must therefore consider St. Maarten as a single, interconnected system.
Several years ago, I proposed a concept inspired by Ruan’s earlier success and made possible by the strategic asset we already have: the Causeway Bridge. The idea is simple, low-cost, and reversible.
Imagine approaching the Cole Bay Hill roundabout on A.J.C. Brouwer Road. Instead of fighting for position, traffic is guided clearly to the right along Union Road. The Causeway Bridge is split into two one-way lanes: the right side dedicated exclusively to traffic heading toward Princess Juliana International Airport, the left side flowing smoothly toward Simpson Bay. No crossing traffic. No hesitation. Just movement.
From the roundabout connecting Airport Road, Union Road, and A.J.C. Brouwer Road, the road toward Simpson Bay becomes a double lane in a single direction and all traffic from the airport keeps Right to Simpson Bay using the double lanes. Union Road from the roundabout at the end of AJC Brouwer Road leading to the Causeway roundabout also becomes double-lane, one-way traffic. The result is immediate: no complete standstills when a vehicle stops to turn, pick up a passenger, or let someone out. Even in the event of an accident, traffic can continue to move because there is room to pass.
Drivers coming from the French side heading to Philipsburg filter to the left route on the Causeway Bridge through Simpson Bay; those heading to the airport keep to the right. Yes, some motorists may need to drive a few extra minutes—but that is a small price to pay for continuous movement instead of sitting motionless in gridlock for an hour. Internationally, drivers accept such trade-offs every day, and despite having more vehicles, they enjoy far less congestion than we do.
Importantly, this approach requires minimal investment: primarily signage, road markings, and public education. The inner roads of Cole Bay and Simpson Bay remain largely unchanged. And if the system proves ineffective, it can easily be reversed. That flexibility alone makes it worth trying.
Of course, congestion in Philipsburg, Sucker Garden, and Madame Estate must also be addressed through completion of the Ring Road and similar directional-flow concepts, which I have also proposed. But, understandably, this has a high cost, and while it is necessary, it can come sooner if we see success in Simpson Bay. Because then any large spending opportunities can be made use of in Sucker Garden, Madame Estate, and Philipsburg. Doing this must also take into account the need for a proper parking solution for Simpson Bay and for Philipsburg. But the answer cannot simply be a tunnel, an overpass, or restricting vehicle ownership. Anyone with a budget—or a promise to find one—can fix potholes. What St. Maarten needs now is leadership willing to think outside the box.
Waiting too long to act is perhaps the greatest risk of all. Traffic does not solve itself, and doing nothing only ensures that residents and visitors continue to pay the price in time, frustration, and lost opportunity. The question before us is simple: do we have the courage to think creatively again?
Alfred Harley
