If you were caught unawares in yesterday’s traffic jam caused by the rehearsal for next Monday’s Independence Day parade, then be warned that another rehearsal takes place on Friday.

The Commissioner of Police has advised the public that there will again be a traffic interruption in and around the Queen’s Park Savannah on Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. as members of the protective services rehearse for this year’s parade.

The announcement came just hours after the rehearsal held yesterday caused major traffic headaches for commuters coming out of Cascade and St Ann’s.

One motorist told the Express he spent an hour and a half in traffic trying to get into Port of Spain from Cascade.

A new parade route has been introduced for this year’s Independence parade, geared towards getting more public interaction.

This year the armed forces will gather on Keate Street, the parade will continue north along Charlotte Street then West along Queen’s Park West.

The parade will then move south into Chancery Lane, then east back into Keate Street and south along Frederick Street.

The parade will then head west along Park Street toward Tragarete Road, and then the parade takes a more traditional route heading toward the St James Police Barracks, where it will then be dismissed. The parade is to begin at 8 a.m.

During Friday’s rehearsal, drivers heading south along Queen’s Park East shall divert east to Jerningham Avenue, south to Belmont Circular Road to Observatory Street then to Charlotte Street.

Motorists headed to St Ann’s are asked to go along Abercromby Street, east to New Street, then Belmont Circular Road to the Griffith Morris Link Road to the St Ann’s Roundabout.

Maraval commuters are advised to proceed west on Duke Street, north onto Henry Street, west onto Gordon Street to Dundonald Street, west to Fitzgerald Lane, north to Victoria Avenue onto Queen’s Park West.

No through traffic will be allowed on Charlotte Street from Gordon Street, while vehicular traffic is prohibited on Keate Street and Chancery Lane between 7.30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Friday.