Work is to begin on reconstruction of the road intersection in front of the General Post Office in George Town later this month to create better traffic flow and connectivity.
The project will include improvements to underground infrastructure on the connecting sections of Edward Street, Main Street and Shedden Road.
An artist’s rendering also shows a new pedestrianised area, paving, seating, pedestrian crossings, landscaping and street lighting.
It is all part of the George Town Revitalisation Initiative, which has already seen upgrades to Heroes Square, the pedestrianisation of Cardinall Avenue, and road markings on Seafarers Way.
The Ministry of Infrastructure is leading the latest phase of the project, with support from the National Roads Authority, Caribbean Utilities Company and the Water Authority.
Construction work will begin on Monday, 25 Sept., and is expected to take seven months to complete. Traffic diversions will be announced soon.
Better street networks
George Town manager Colin Lumsden said one of the goals of the George Town Revitalisation Initiative is to help people move around the town more easily.
That is being done “effectively by developing better street networks and public spaces,” he said in a press release.
Lighting, seating, paving, landscaping and pedestrian crossing enhancements at Heroes Square in 2021 have helped to create a central and safe outdoor meeting space.
It is now home to the annual National Heroes Day celebrations held to celebrate local role models past and present, several of whom have been immortalised in the square.
Meanwhile, the pedestrianisation of Cardinall Avenue in 2022 has allowed large-scale events to be held there, including Cayman Art Week and the Live Street Food Festival.
“Our mission is to bring life and vibrancy back to our capital and the tremendous success of phase one has set the stage for this next phase of enhancements,” Lumsden said.
“Soon, all central George Town will be connected by pedestrian walkways and shaded pocket parks, creating an enhanced experience for all.”
Life and vibrancy
The George Town Revitalisation Initiative is a multi-year government project designed to re-energise Cayman’s capital.
The project has identified key downtown areas that need to be enhanced to encourage both visitors and residents to spend more time there, while preserving iconic architecture.
Enhancement work includes new road links, pedestrianised streets, green spaces and pocket parks as well as new state-of-the-art infrastructure.
An information session on the upcoming work near the General Post Office with the ministry and subcontractors was held at George Town Public Library on Tuesday, 12 Sept.
About 30 people attended the meeting, with several bringing up the need for more parking in George Town, along with ride-share programmes and public transport.
There were also some concerns raised about safety with regard to lighting and speed limits.
Project coordinators said this will be addressed through the use of smart lampposts, lighting programming and pedestrian-friendly road designs that will slow down traffic.
The next phase of the initiative is to revitalise Central Scranton Park – a four-acre public park in the middle of George Town.
More information on the initiative is available at www.georgetownrevitalisation.com.
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