Premier reaffirms intent to proceed with East-West Arterial

Premier Wayne Panton has reaffirmed government’s intention to proceed with construction of the East-West Arterial Road extension to help reduce traffic to and from the eastern districts.

His statement comes after recent comments on his position on sustainable development and the environment were at odds with the push from Infrastructure Minister Jay Ebanks for the East-West Arterial to move forward.

This, as local environment advocates continue to contend the project will have significant impact as it proposes the removal of 174 acres of undisturbed terrestrial habitat for the roadway, among other ecological changes.

However, traffic reduction, Panton said in his statement on Monday, is an issue that remains a “top PACT priority”.

“Expanding the roads’ infrastructure is necessary and long overdue, and we are committed to completing the East West Arterial Road as soon as possible to improve the quality of life for thousands of Caymanians who live in the Eastern Districts,” Panton stated.

Panton also pointed out that the elected government realises that traffic congestion negatively impacts the quality of life for thousands of Caymanians each weekday.

“As we have said before, we intend to take a holistic approach and a long-term view to traffic and ground transportation. Improving our roads infrastructure where strategically necessary, transforming our system of public transport, reducing the number of cars imported each month and encouraging new behaviours such as car-pooling and increased use of busses, are all part of the bigger picture,” he said.

The statement from the Office of the Premier also pointed out that government has already made “substantial progress” with road works to relieve bottlenecks at the Grand Harbour roundabout.

“Works have commenced to expand the number of lanes on the Linford Pierson Highway from the Agnes Way roundabout to Bobby Thompson Way and Smith Road,” it added.

The National Roads Authority has invited bids from firms to conduct an environmental impact assessment for the East West Arterial project which will run from Woodland Drive to Frank Sound Road. The bidding exercise ends at 5pm on 28 April 2022.

Infrastructure Minister Jay Ebanks, in the statement, said that efforts are “progressing well” on the East-West Arterial, with work done on phase one from Hirst Road to east of Woodland Drive.

“Simultaneously, we are working through the Environment Impact Assessment process for phase two, which will inform the design and construction from Woodland Drive to Frank Sound Road,” he said