Residents along South Sound Road have been calling for immediate repairs to the area’s boardwalk, parts of which have been rendered unsafe since Hurricane Beryl passed in early July.
However, following Cayman Compass queries on the delays, on Friday work began on the boardwalk.
An Infrastructure Ministry statement responding to Compass queries acknowledged the residents’ frustration and said the badly damaged boardwalk will be repaired.
“Crews were on-site last week and were also present [Friday] morning, continuing their efforts. We expect all necessary repairs to be completed by mid-week, with work scheduled to continue throughout the weekend to ensure minimal disruption,” the ministry said in an email.
About 16 spots on the $1.3 million boardwalk need repair, with some sections, deemed too dangerous to traverse due to large gaps in the warped planks, being cordoned off with orange safety cones.
The situation has forced residents to walk onto the busy South Sound Road to avoid the impacted areas, which they say adds to the danger, especially after recent collisions nearby.
“It’s scary. We had a couple of car crashes here on this road so when you walk on the road you are not 100% secure,” Diana Jimenez Garcia, a South Sound resident, said.
The most recent collision occurred just three weeks ago in which a vehicle overturned mere metres away from the boardwalk.
Residents say the situation cannot continue.
“It’s difficult to walk now after the hurricane and the damage. We have to kind of sort the debris, it is an inconvenience,” Jimenez Garcia said.
She and her husband, Santiago Martinez Carvajal, often use the boardwalk as they walk their dog Helga.
She said the boardwalk is a popular spot for many in the area to gather as a community.
“It would be great if they have it fixed because a lot of people use this, not only to walk, but to do exercise. Even the kids come with their bikes and it’s a great place for the people to come and just enjoy the view. It’s sad that it’s not fixed yet,” she said.
Another resident, who asked that his name not be used, said apart from the damage to the boardwalk he is concerned about the erosion along the shore and beneath the boardwalk.
“It’s unfortunate it has taken them this long to deal with the situation. I believe what is more pressing than the boardwalk is the erosion at the end of the boardwalk, that is actually breaking up the road. Hopefully they will deal with it soon,” he said.
The erosion and the damage was exacerbated when Hurricane Beryl brushed the Cayman Islands in early July.
The storm surges battered the boardwalk planks, some of which were lifted out of their fittings.
‘Lower priority’
The Cayman Compass walked the stretch of the 1,500-foot-long boardwalk, counting at least 16 areas that were either broken, missing planks or severely warped by the damage.
The ministry statement, in addressing the cause of the damage, said although the boardwalk was built to “high standards, the intensity of Hurricane Beryl caused significant strain on many parts of the island’s infrastructure, including the boardwalk”.
“The damage resulted from a combination of powerful winds and tidal surges, which, despite the boardwalk’s sturdy design, led to some areas requiring immediate attention. While we understand that the boardwalk is a beloved recreational area, it was temporarily lower on the priority list,” it said.
The ministry pointed out that residents do have access to alternative spaces, such as the Truman Bodden Sports Complex, which “provides excellent facilities for walking and exercise”.
The complex, however, is located some distance away from the South Sound boardwalk.
The ministry defended its delayed action on the boardwalk, saying its response has been strategic, prioritising projects based on urgency and the immediate needs of the community.
“Our primary focus after the hurricane was on critical areas affecting the livelihoods of residents, particularly fishermen and boaters. Repairs to docks, jetties, and ramps were prioritised as these are essential for the island’s economy and daily life,” it said.
The boardwalk had been damaged in the past from vehicles crashing into it, after which it had been repaired in short order.
George Town East MP and Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart told the Compass he was aware of the situation with the boardwalk.
“I had spoken with [Infrastructure Minister Jay Ebanks] a few weeks ago; he told me that they were looking into repairing it,” he said.
McTaggart, who is currently overseas on official legislative business, said he will follow up with Ebanks on the repairs.
When contacted by the Compass on Friday, Ebanks said “the crew has been on the job”.
“[They are] currently purchasing additional materials and will return on site and remain working all weekend,” Ebanks said.
However, residents questioned why the repairs have been delayed so long.
“I thought at the beginning that it normally take them a while to get this repaired and I thought it could be maybe they didn’t have the material. They have to bring it into the island or maybe they wanted to have the hurricane season finished, but it’s been months now,” Jimenez Garcia said.
Another resident also expressed disappointment at the long wait for the repair.
“It’s about three months now almost. We usually walk about three times a week, so it’s a little bit frustrating. It’s obviously not ideal especially when traffic is picking up. It would be great if it could be fixed sooner rather than later, but we just sort of try and make do,” she said.
The ministry said it has allocated resources for the necessary repairs, and it is confident that the ongoing work will restore the boardwalk to its original condition.
“The repairs are being handled by a skilled team of contractors who have extensive experience with hurricane recovery efforts, ensuring that the boardwalk will be safe and functional in the long term,” the ministry said.
It did not release the cost of the repairs.
As for the erosion near the end of the boardwalk affecting the road, the ministry said it was aware of the situation and has incorporated that into its overall repair plan.
“This area will also be addressed in conjunction with the boardwalk repairs,” it added.
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