I write regarding the construction of the East-West Arterial. This road has to be constructed with the environment as the utmost priority and should not follow the techniques used to construct the Esterley Tibbetts and Linford Pierson highways.
Excavating and filling the swamp will destroy a tremendous amount of mangrove and will create ‘dams’ as these previous roads did, which has led to flooding. The way to avoid this is to build the major part of this road on pylons.
We only have to look at Florida to observe how roadways have been built over sensitive environmental areas. The technique of building on pylons destroys less mangrove and allows the free flow of water underneath. We all know the importance of allowing the rain water to flow into the central mangrove wetlands to supply nutrients to marine life.
Let’s not make a similar environmental mistake as what occurred on ‘Seven’ Mile Beach. Despite the uproar at the time, approval was granted for the Marriott to build a seawall too close to the high-water mark and look where we are today. One could argue this was the beginning of the erosion to Seven Mile Beach.
As Cayman heads to the polls, be mindful of the fact that some, not all, seeking office will want to build this road as done in the past by filling the swamp for the sake of a few dollars.
Continuing to build roads to alleviate traffic congestion is not the solution without some drastic steps. This is a never-ending cycle. Some form of limiting cars into the island must be introduced. One possibility is to not allow the ownership/licence of a vehicle to a certain level of work-permit holder.
Of course, going hand-in-hand with this is a proper transportation system which will allow transport to all districts. This is being proposed from all sides seeking political office. Again, as we head to the polls, think about who has the backbone to introduce such a measure.
There was a recent proposal to issue fishing licences for work-permit holders to help protect the marine life.
Similarly, steps must be considered to restrict the number of cars. Start here before it gets to the point of restricting all Caymanians and permanent residents on the number of vehicles they can own, as done in Bermuda.
We simply cannot continue to grow the population and issue work permits without some restriction on the number of cars. Besides, such a measure might reduce some of the accidents on the roads as some of these workers have never owned a car and are not the best drivers.
Capt. Kennedy Panton
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The writer makes many good points.
Unfortunately building a road on pylons will dramatically increase the cost of an already expensive project. Perhaps there could be some slightly elevated sections with wide culverts under them.
Preventing lower income work permit holders from driving here would be very unfair as the public transport system is hopelessly inadequate and they often have to carry tools and work materials with them.