Starting 31 Jan., vehicles will no longer be allowed on Cardinall Avenue as work begins to convert the popular street into a pedestrian thoroughfare as part of the ongoing revitalisation of George Town.
Cardinall Avenue will remain open to foot traffic for access to shops, cafes and businesses, which will continue operations as usual, George Town Manager Colin Lumsden said in a statement Tuesday afternoon announcing the change.
“This new pedestrian-friendly area in the centre of town marks a big milestone in the George Town Revitalisation Initiative master plan. We are confident the result will create a significantly enhanced experience for the public and local businesses,” Lumsden said, as phase one of the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure’s Cardinall Avenue enhancement project gets underway.
Lumsden and key members of the project team met with Cardinall Avenue landowners and building tenants this week, the statement said.
The George Town manager noted that the main objectives of the enhancement works are to improve the aesthetics and character of the downtown area.
“The goal of the George Town Revitalisation Initiative is to create opportunities for increased activity by locals and tourists in our capital by developing public open spaces adjacent to businesses that enhance the experience for visitors,” he said in the statement.
The project is expected to take place over five months.
Robson Construction is leading the works with support from the National Roads Authority, Caribbean Utilities Company and Apec Consulting Engineers Limited.
Last month the project came under fire after the newly-paved pedestrian crossings along Heroes Square were given a poor grade from local motorists, who took to social media to complain about the damage their vehicles were facing as a result of the height of the crossings.
The ministry responded to the concerns and made changes to the crossings to address the complaints.
The new paved pedestrian crossings at Heroes Square are part of the second phase of enhancement works scheduled for the central landmark, under the George Town Revitalisation Initiative.
New traffic changes
From 31 Jan., general vehicular access to Cardinall Avenue from Seafarers Way will end, with traffic rerouted into town through Mary Street, Fort Street and Goring Avenue.
There will also be access along the eastern end of Cardinall Avenue, via Albert Panton Street.
This first phase of enhancement, the statement said, includes the pedestrianisation of the section of road between Seafarers Way and Albert Panton Street, in which the existing asphalt will be replaced with colourful concrete pavers.
“Enhancements will also be made to the eastern section of Cardinall Avenue; however, this section of road will remain accessible to one-way vehicular traffic via Albert Panton Street,” the statement said.
Further improvements to the avenue include adding street lighting, landscaping and mature vegetation, plus putting in new street furniture.
At the same time, the statement said, underground infrastructure will be updated with new water mains and relined sanitary and storm sewers.
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Be good to have some parking in Ghost Town, sorry George Town, instead.
I do hope parking facilities are being factored into this enhancement project. If there isn’t additional parking I don’t think the pedestrian precincts will be used! At the moment it is very difficult to find a parking place to get to the shops in central George Town.
What if any, qualifications and experience does Mr Lumsden have for this project?. Has he any idea what effect this will have on traffic flow , closing down one of the arterial road links in central G.T.?. Where are the cafes he’s talking about and exactly who is going to be sitting on his street furniture in the sweltering heat?.
This is an excellent improvement that I remember eminent Architect John Doak proposing back in the eighties.
I also remember drivers complaining to us about lost parking when the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman was planting the trees that line the western part of the avenue in the early nineties. They were a great improvement.
Can we put some more of them down the centre to create more beautiful shade in ten years time?
We all know car drivers who don’t want to walk 100 yards. I’m sorry for them but I think many more people will benefit from this.
Well done all!