The PACT government said it is committed to a three-year timeline to complete infrastructure upgrades, which will cost tens of millions of dollars.
The overall plan consists of multiple sub-projects, some of which are already underway.
The exact cost was not released by the Ministry of Infrastructure. However, in February 2020, under the previous Progressives-led government, the National Roads Authority stated it had received approval and funding for five road projects at an estimated cost of $40 million.
Although several of the projects have begun, unforeseen hurdles continue to delay their completion.
Airport Connector Road
After a six-month hiatus, work has now resumed on the Airport Connector Road.
“We were actually slowed down by the process of having to order the culverts which are now on site, but just arrived two, three weeks ago,” said Infrastructure Minister Jay Ebanks, who dispelled rumours that the road project was not a priority.
“The traffic models prove everything,” said Ebanks. “This is not only an easier way to get traffic flow from the airport on the West Bay Road, but also to ease [the rush-hour backlog] by the Butterfield roundabout to be able to get to this side of the connection road.
The ACR stretches from near Sparky Drive in Industrial Park, to behind the George Town landfill, where it connects to the roundabout just east of Camana Bay by Cayman International School. It is expected to be completed in March 2022.
A significant portion of the connector road runs through what used to be red mangrove swamp. As a result, the road’s drainage system includes 4-foot diameter culverts to allow the brackish water to continue to naturally drain into the North Sound.
East-West Arterial
The East-West Arterial is a five-phase project that has been 20 years in the making. To date, all that remains are phases four and five which run, respectively, from Hirst Road to Woodland Drive, and from Woodland Drive to Frank Sound.
The land has been cleared for phase four; however, an incomplete Environmental Impact Assessment has prevented work from starting.
“Once that report is completed, you will see that this government is 100% behind getting the road completed,” said Ebanks.
Godfrey Nixon extension
This project was touted as Cayman’s first ‘Complete Street’, designed to accommodate motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and even kerbside parking. But delays with acquiring the requested properties and obtaining permissions along North Church Street have stalled the project, which has been divided into two phases.
“As soon as that is all done, we will resume the road,” said Ebanks. “But we are to start back on [the first phase] as soon as next week.”
The Godfrey Nixon Extension will run from North Church Street, in the vicinity of Da Fish Shack restaurant, to the traffic light at the junction with Eastern Avenue.
Shamrock Road
Further east, the widening of Shamrock Road between the Grand Harbour and Red Bay roundabouts is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
The three eastbound lanes have already been completed, and two of the three westbound lanes are also finished.
Three graves and multiple utility poles that once blocked the projected path have since been relocated, and now all that remains is for the final lane to be paved.
Other road projects
Also in the works are phase two of the Linford Pierson Highway, King’s Sports Centre connector and CUC roundabout upgrade, widening Crewe Road and repaving West Bay Road.
“To be more accommodating, we have shifted our work schedules,” said Ebanks. “So, we work on the eastern side of the island in the day, and then shift our crew to the western side in the night, and it has proven to be helpful with the traffic flow so far.”
Non-roadworks
Other non-road projects include the construction of a new weather facility for the Cayman Islands National Weather Service.
Ebanks said funds have been allocated for the construction of the new facility. An automatic weather observation station has already been installed at the site, which is located off Crewe Road at the junction with Agnes Way.
“That project should be ready to go in the first quarter of next year,” the minister said.
Another capital project in process is the John Gray High School campus.
In September, the Department of Education Services took over control of sections 1, 5 and 6 of the project, and the outstanding sections are expected to be completed by mid-2022.
In early November, Deputy Premier Chris Saunders posted a video on social media showing several government ministers working late into the night finalising the budget.
When asked for details about the allotments for the infrastructure upgrades, Ebanks told the Cayman Compass, “Infrastructure is looking great for the country but as for the budget you will have to listen to the speeches to hear more.”
Related Videos
