cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Tuesday, 18 February 2020 Reshaping Cayman’s roads • Hi-tech traffic modelling software driving road widening plan • Five major projects planned for next two years . Pages 8 and 9 Photo: Taneos Ramsay News Civil Aviation HQ building delayed Page 2 News Smith Cove exempt from planning permission Page 5 News Janice Wilson, former NCVO head, passes away Page 7Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 1917 (R) 12:40 | 7:00 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 12:55 VIP | 3:55 | 7:00 | 9:50 VIP BIRDS OF PREY (R) 1:00 | 4:00 VIP | 9:35 BLUMHOUSE’S FANTASY ISLAND (PG-13) 1:15 | 3:45 | 6:30 | 9:50 BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (1966) (PG-13) 7:00 VIP DOLITTLE (PG) 3:55 | 9:50 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG) 12:50 | 4:05 | 6:40 | 9:10 THE PHOTOGRAPH (PG-13) 1:10 | 3:50 | 6:45 | 9:25 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email:newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KEVIN MORALES Partly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 86°F 76°F HIGH LOW WINDS Northeast at 10 to 15 knots. SEA STATE Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A delay in the procurement process has set back the completion of the new headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority Cayman Islands. In 2018, the CAACI executed a 99-year lease on a property beside the Owen Roberts International Airport. The site formerly housed the Cayman Airways headquarters, which was damaged in Hurricane Ivan and demolished to make way for the CAACI building. Groundbreaking of the $2.4 million facility occurred in May last year, and an October 2019 completion date was announced. Now, four months after the original planned completion, construction continues on the project. In a brief statement, in response to an email from the Cayman Compass, CAACI Director General Richard Smith said the project now is expected to be completed sometime in March next year. “The CAACI has progressed for construction of the corporate offices after delays were experienced in the initial stage caused by the Public Procurement Committee (PPC) by the CI Government,” said Smith in his email. “Once the procurement process was completed, the construction commenced on Monday, 9 Sept. 2019, and is progressing to expected construction timelines.” The project is being funded by CAACI’s cash reserves. No response was received to questions seeking clarity as to whether the delay caused an increase in the expenditure, and if there were any changes to the proposed blueprints or design of the facility. “At this time, barring any other issues, anticipated completion time is end of the first quarter 2021,” Smith said. The CAACI has been housed at Grand Harbour since the authority’s restructuring in June 2004, when the Cayman Islands Airports Authority acquired all real estate previously held by CAACI. Civil Aviation's new HQ delayed Richard Smith, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, gets ready to smash the wall of the old Cayman Airways building, during a groundbreaking ceremony at the CIAA new headquarters in May 2018. $2.4 million Cost of the new CIAA headquarters RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Baroness Elizabeth Sugg is taking over from Lord Tariq Ahmad as the UK Overseas Territories Minister. Sugg’s 13 Feb. appointment follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government reshuffle. The Cayman Islands Governor’s Office, in a brief response to queries from the Cayman Compass Monday, said Dominic Raab would continue as Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State. Johnson has also appointed seven joint Foreign and Commonwealth Department of International Development ministers. Lord Ahmad will now be Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth. Sugg will have responsibility for overseas territories and sustainable development, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s official website. Baroness Sugg named UK Overseas Territories Minister Who is Baroness Sugg? The FCO’s profile on the baroness states that prior to her appointment, she was previously Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for International Development from 23 April 2019 to 13 Feb. 2020, Government Whip (Baroness in Waiting) from 15 June 2017 to 26 July 2019, and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport from October 2017 to April 2019. Baroness Sugg became a Conservative life peer on 30 Aug. 2016. cayman compass 2 news N news TUESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2020Public Health Department Clean hands with soap & water, or an alcohol based hand rub. Reduce the risks of Coronavirus infection Cover nose and mouth when coughing & sneezing with tissue or flexed elbow If you have a fever, cough or dif culty breathingseek medical care immediately and share previous travel history with your healthcare provider. Wash your hands •After sneezing or coughing •When caring for the sick •Before, during & after you prepare food •Before eating •After toilet use •When hands are dirty •After handling animals or animal waste Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms cayman compass 3 TUESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 20201234567 8 910 111213 14 15161718 19 2021 1234567 8 910 111213 14 15161718 19 2021 ACROSS 1 Disable (7) 5 Ancient author of fables (5) 8 Putting it mildly (2,3,3,5) 9 Lift with great effort (5) 10 Grille (7) 11 Landed property (6) 12 Motiveless (6) 15 Cure-all (7) 17 Bundle of cornstalks (5) 19 Mere guess (4,2,3,4) 20 Venue for dancing (5) 21 Lecturer (7) DOWN 1 Intercept (5) 2 Immediate (13) 3 Recompense (7) 4 Breathe out (6) 5 Apportion (5) 6 Treacherous attack (4,2,3,4) 7 Representative sample (7) 11 Open to the elements (7) 13 Severely simple (7) 14 Succulent spiny plant (6) 16 Cotton twill fabric (5) 18 Hindu ascetic (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16304 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. YeSteRDAY'S SOLUtIONS Puzzle 16303 ACROSS: 1 Volga, 8 Sure-fire, 9 Nerve, 10 Rag trade, 11 Byway, 12 Sew, 16 Encamp, 17 Annals, 18 Yen, 23 Ahead, 24 Well-nigh, 25 Trick, 26 Lie doggo, 27 Perth. DOWN: 2 One by one, 3 Give away, 4 Humane, 5 Hefty, 6 Vital, 7 Level, 12 Spy, 13 Wan, 14 In charge, 15 Clear-cut, 19 Engage, 20 Twill, 21 Elver, 22 Annoy. cartoon RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Rene Dixon has lost her battle with cancer. Dixon was one of Cayman’s youngest breast cancer patients. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer at the age of 22 in 2011. The aspiring fashionista passed away Friday. She was 31 years old. Dixon, who was also a model and blogger, often used her personal experiences to raise awareness about breast cancer to inspire others facing the same trials. She was known for her work with the Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation and would often be seen delivering motivational talks. Janette Fitzgerald, chief administrator at the foundation, said she was saddened by Dixon’s passing. “I have worked closely alongside Rene for several years, she volunteered her precious time to us with the mission to get the message out there about breast cancer and how it was not just older persons who were affected but that it could affect young, old, and male or female,” she said. Dixon was the special guest at the 2017 Breast Cancer Foundation gala where she met celebrities Bill and Giuliana Rancic at The Ritz- Carlton, Grand Cayman, an evening she raved about. Fitzgerald said Dixon, like those at the foundation, wanted to get that message out to as many people as possible. “Whilst being in continual treatment for nine years, she never let that stop her or get in the way of her mission. I personally was always in awe of her strength and bravery. I will miss her very much, I know she will never be forgotten, and her message will continue to be heard for a long time to come,” she added. At the age of 20, Dixon found a lump on her right breast, which was checked by three doctors – all of whom told her it was most likely a cyst and she was too young to have breast cancer. After several trials and further medical checks, Dixon was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, roughly two years following her initial discovery of the lump. By then, the cancer had already spread to her hip, back and ribs. At 23, she was undergoing treatment which she wrote about on her blog, ‘With Love, Nae’. In an interview with The Cayman Islands Journal in 2012, Dixon said, “I’ve always been a person to keep a journal. I said jokingly to my friend that maybe I should start a blog and she said I should. I found [blog website] Tumblr, so I started posting my updates on there… When people caught onto it, it turned into something way more than me just updating people. I’ve done general posts on breast cancer awareness and I share my story or someone else’s story or pictures.” Her final entry in her blog was posted on Facebook on 23 Jan., where she wrote, “I’ve been quiet and I’m trying to muster up the energy to type this out. But I was admitted to CTCA [Cancer Treatment Centers of America] last week for pneumonia but there are a lot of other complications happening.” Saying she felt exhausted and weak, she added, “Please send prayers. I need a miracle.” Kim Lund, Breast Cancer Foundation director, said Dixon was loved by everyone and the team is devastated by her loss. “Rene was a true champion for breast cancer awareness and was an unselfish and giving spokesperson who helped young adults understand how this disease affects all ages, even the very young like Rene. We are all heartbroken,” he said. Numerous tributes were posted on social media, a testament to the impact that Dixon had on the community. Breast cancer warrior Rene Dixon passes “Rene was a true champion for breast cancer awareness and was an unselfish and giving spokesperson who helped young adults understand how this disease affects all ages, even the very young like Rene.” Kim Lund , Breast Cancer Foundation director Rene Dixon, right, and Giuliana Ranzic pictured at the 2017 Breast Cancer Foundation gala. cayman compass 4 news N news TUESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2020Visiting Specialist will be available for consultation at Novo Clinic, Britcay House 236 Eastern Avenue from 3 February - 27 February, 2020 For appointments please call +1 (345) 746-6082 clinic@novocayman.com Gynecology, Urogynecology, Cosmetic Gynecology Honour those actively preserving and celebrating Caymanian cultural heritage. NATIONAL ARTS & CULTURE AWARDS Annual National Arts & Culture Awards 26 th Thursday, 20 February 7 p.m. Red Carpet & Cocktail Reception 8 p.m. Awards Presentation Harquail Theatre Livestreamed on the Cayman Compass Facebook & YouTube pages Presented by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation Exemption notice not found in government Gazette KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@compassmedia.ky No planning permission will be required for the proposed redevelopment of Smith Barcadere. The government-owned parcels were granted exemption from planning permission in July 2018, one week after a community meeting was held at South Sound Community Centre to discuss the site. “There is no application for planning permission,” said Ron Sanderson, deputy director of planning with the Department of Planning. “At the meeting held on 17 July 2018, Cabinet granted approval for the exemption from Planning Permission for the proposed redevelopment/ enhancement of Smith Barcadere on Block 7C, Parcels 70, 71, 72 and 81 for public purposes, under Section 53 (1) of the Planning and Development Law (2015).” Those parcels have since been combined into one unit, Block 7C Parcel 140. Under the Planning Law, Cabinet may waive the requirement for planning permission if the project is deemed in the public interest. Such exemptions, by law, should be published in the government Gazette. Section 53 (1) of the law reads, “the Cabinet may, by Order published in the Gazette, waive the requirement to obtain permission”. The Central Planning Authority was not able to indicate in which Gazette the exemption was published and requested further questions be directed to Cabinet. Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose forwarded questions about the exemption and Gazette notice to the Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure. “The Ministry … would be able to confirm whether there is a requirement in the law for exemptions to be gazetted,” Rose told the Cayman Compass. The ministry had not provided comment by press time Monday. In a search of the Gazette archives for the Smith Barcadere exemption, the Compass was unable to locate any publication of the notice. While plans for the beachside parking lot were discussed at the July 2018 community meeting, the planning exemption did not appear to be mentioned and was not reported in the press. A.L. Thompson, chairman of the Smith Barcadere Committee, told residents at the July 2018 meeting that the project would likely cost around $500,000, split between government and private funds. “We can’t sit around The government- owned parcels were granted exemption from planning permission in July 2018, one week after a community meeting was held at South Sound Community Centre to discuss the site . and wait for government to do everything,” Thompson said at that meeting. “You want to keep it, you want to retain it, you don’t want to see it destroyed. If we leave it the way it is, if we leave it alone, it’s going to be destroyed. I can tell you that. We need some help. We need your help to put this together.” A tender for the redevelopment work at Smith Barcadere was issued on the government’s public procurement portal in December. Local residents held a peaceful protest at the cove in South Church Street on Saturday to let officials know that they opposed the redevelopment work and to call for public consultation on the plans. A public meeting to discuss the issue further will be held at the South Sound Community Centre at a date to be finalised. Premier Alden McLaughin and Barbara Conolly, MLA for George Town South, were contacted for comment but had not responded by press time. Smith Cove exempt from planning permission No planning permission is required to carry out redevelopment work at Smith Barcadere. cayman compass 5 news N news TUESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2020cayman compass 6 TUESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2020 Daily Horoscope THE LOCKHORNS By Bunny Hoest & John Reiner ARIES (MARCH 21 TO APRIL 19) Keep a low profile for the next four weeks and think about what you want for your new year ahead (birthday to birthday). Write down some goals to keep you on track. TAURUS (APRIL 20 TO MAY 20) You’re looking at a social, friendly month ahead! In the next four weeks, enjoy schmoozing with everyone. Share your hopes with someone to get his or her feed- back. GEMINI (MAY 21 TO JUNE 20) You will be high-viz in the next four weeks. The good news is you make a great impression on others. Use this window of time to make your pitch! CANCER (JUNE 21 TO JULY 22) Travel or study to expand your horizons in the next four weeks, because you want to learn more, see more and meet new people. It’s an exciting month ahead! LEO (JULY 23 TO AUG. 22) Issues about inheritances, shared property, taxes and debt are your focus for the next four weeks. Whatever happens, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. VIRGO (AUG. 23 TO SEPT. 22) You will need more sleep in the next four weeks. During this time, you will be focused on partners and close friendships. LIBRA (SEPT. 23 TO OCT. 22) You will be hardworking and indus- trious in the next four weeks. You will do everything you can to make your life run smoothly and efficiently. SCORPIO (OCT. 23 TO NOV. 21) It’s play city for you for the next four weeks! Enjoy the arts, sports events, socializing with everyone, plus playful activities with kids. Romance will blossom! SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 TO DEC. 21) Home, family and your private life are your main focus in the next four weeks. This is an excellent time to redecorate and tweak your digs. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 TO JAN. 19) Fasten your seatbelt, because you will be busy in the next four weeks! Suddenly, you’ve got things to do, people to see and places to go! AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 TO FEB. 18) Financial matters and cash flow will be your focus in the next four weeks. Many of you will boost your earnings or your wealth. PISCES (FEB. 19 TO MARCH 20) It’s all about you in the next four weeks! Yes, this is your turn to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year! People and favorable situations will come your way. Yay! BY FRANCES DRAKE TUESday, FEbRUaRy 18, 2020 CURTIS By Ray Billingsley bLONdIE By Y. Marshall PEaNUTS By Charles M. Shulz HägaR THE HORRIbLE By Chris Browne THE aMaZINg SPIdERMaN By Stan Lee and Alex Saviukcayman compass 7 N news TUESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2020 RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Janice Wilson, the former director at the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, passed away on Friday after succumbing to illness. She was 48. For 14 years, Wilson, a mother of two, served at the helm of the NCVO, and hosted numerous fundraising efforts to keep the doors open and the lights on at the organisations under the charity’s umbrella. Those organisations include Miss Nadine’s Pre-School, Jack and Jill Nursery, Nadine Andreas Residential Foster Home and the New to You Bargain Shop. Wilson would often be seen leading the charge at the NCVO’s annual telethon that was broadcast live on local television station Cayman 27. Wilson’s enthusiasm and passion for what she did was infectious. The NCVO board and staff told the Cayman Compass, in a statement Monday, that they were deeply saddened to hear of Wilson’s sudden passing. “She was with the NCVO for over 14 years and her contribution was significant to Cayman’s community. Janice ensured the programmes stayed viable and able to make a positive impact in the lives of children,” the statement said. Part of Wilson’s remit during her time at the NCVO was awarding scholarships through a fund managed by the organisation. It was something she took pleasure in doing. “She was keen on employing Caymanians and providing them with opportunities to excel and help others in their community. Janice was always eager and willing to help families in need and able to affect the lives of many, beyond those receiving direct services, through community outreach,” the NCVO statement said. The board and staff, the statement said, is praying for Wilson’s family to find some comfort and peace during this difficult time. “We will continue to honour her legacy by preserving the work we do and ensuring the NCVO continues to be a beacon of support for children and families in need,” the statement added. The NCVO said it will honour Wilson’s memory internally with a prayer service, and a book of memories is being created for her family to give them a glimpse of her impact at the NCVO. Wilson leaves behind her husband and two children. Janice Wilson, former NCVO director, passes Janice Wilson WORC issues warning to employers RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky A tip-off on illegal employment activity led to several arrests last week at a large-scale construction site in George Town. The discovery has prompted a warning from Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman to local employers to ensure that they are hiring people within the limitations of their work permits, and in accordance with the Immigration Law. “If employers or anyone is uncertain as to their compliance with the law, they should reach out to the WORC department. Failing to adhere to the Cayman Islands Immigration Laws could lead to a substantial monetary fine, being arrested or prosecution in court,” a statement from the department said Monday The illegal-employment crackdown happened on 10 Feb., but was only made public this Monday in the WORC media statement. The arrests were the result of a joint operation between WORC compliance officers and Customs and Border Control officers. The exercise was initiated following information received by WORC about illegal employment taking place on the George Town site. “After the inspection and examination of several persons on site, officers discovered Immigration laws had been breached, which resulted in the arrest of multiple persons for various offences,” the statement said. The WORC statement did not specify which construction site had been raided. The Cayman Compass queried the number of people arrested and the offences they were held on. That information is still pending. WORC has said it is continuing to investigate the matter. Jeremy Scott, WORC deputy director of compliance, said in the statement that similar crackdowns on illegal employment practices will be part of a consistent effort by the department. “Effective collaboration with other Government Departments such as Customs and Border Control and other key stakeholders is fundamental to the department’s success. The WORC department looks forward to the public’s cooperation and support in moving forward,” he added. Illegal workers busted in George Town The arrests were the result of a joint operation between WORC compliance officers and Customs and Border Control officers . ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The Cayman Islands community has raised nearly $40,000 to help retired high-school teacher Derek Tyler, who was badly injured in a road accident last year. Tyler, who worked at the Cayman Islands High School and later at Cayman Prep, devoted 38 years to teaching before he retired in 2015. On 6 Aug. 2019, he was involved in a head-on traffic collision, leaving him in a critical condition. “I went home [to Cayman] to bury him, but he is a fighter, and at age 79, has fought to return to some sort of normal,” his son Paul Tyler said in a post on the GoFundMe fundraising website. In that post, he said medical bills had wiped out his father’s savings. The situation was worsened by the fact that Tyler in now wheelchair- bound and unable to continue his work of tutoring students. Paul and his sister, Cathryn Tyler, chipped in where they could, but together they were still not able to meet the rising costs, so they reached out for help. On 2 Feb., Paul set up the GoFundMe account, aiming to raise $25,000 to help pay the bills. “I told Cathryn on Sunday morning when I was about to set up the fundraiser for dad, don’t expect it to solve anything,” said Paul. “Haha, how wrong I was.” After posting the online appeal, donations began to pour in and, within six hours, more than 50% of the goal was reached. By 13 Feb., $39,680 had been raised. “Mr. T is an iconic man in Cayman. He has spent his life teaching others and putting the children of the Cayman Islands before himself, he wasn’t rich in dollars, but is rich in soul and love for his fellow people,” his son posted on the fundraising page. In a follow-up post on 5 Feb. to thank people for their generosity, Paul wrote that his father had no idea he had set up the fundraising effort. “He is a proud man and it was hard to open up his private life and struggles. Cathryn and I broke the news that I had set this up in the last day or so and he broke down crying. I read the comments that people left here and in my email to him, I read the names of people who gave and he instantly had a story to recollect. “There are no words to describe truly how he felt, other than he now realizes that all the love was mutual. His life work meant something, his teaching and his time meant something, and while the accident has taken so much from him, you gave him so much back.” The money will be used to help make the former teacher’s home wheelchair-accessible and to help with other medical bills. “I will donate the remaining balance of unused funds between Hope For Youth, a 501(c)3 charity that helps homeless teens reclaim their lives in Anoka County, and Feed Our Future, which is a Cayman Islands organisation that provides school lunches and summer programmes to children in need,” Paul Tyler said. ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky An attempted murder trial for a man accused of burying a child alive is expected to begin in the Grand Court on Tuesday. The charge stems from an incident in November 2018. Travis Jarrell Webb, 27, also faces a charge of cruelty to a child. On Monday, a Grand Court jury was selected. Webb, who is currently in custody, denies the charges. Attempted murder trial to begin ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Two people were arrested on suspicion of drug offences following a police raid in Watercourse Road in West Bay on Friday morning. The 8:30am raid was a joint effort between police and the Department of Agriculture, according to the RCIPS. Police said investigations were ongoing. Police raid WB home Funds raised for injured retired teacher $39,680 The amount raised for Derek Tyler Derek TylerJAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky On a large split-screen projector at the National Roads Authority’s headquarters, aerial footage shows tiny rectangular shapes moving across the Hurley’s roundabout. As the camera pans towards George Town, the video stream on the left shows a familiar scene: Slow-moving vehicles merging into a multicoloured train of traffic that snakes all the way back to the capital. This is a typical evening commute. The right side of the screen seems virtually identical. But something is different and it takes a moment to realise what it is … the traffic is moving. This, according to the NRA, is what the commute could look like in 2021. Even with an increase in vehicles factored in, cars will move more freely along a remodelled network of expanded lanes and connector roads. Five ‘quick-win’ projects, some of them already under way, are planned over the next two years. The authority believes they will help shave critical time off morning and evening commutes. This expectation no longer involves just guesswork. The roads have already been built in the virtual world of the NRA’s new $50,000 VISUM software programme. A virtual sandbox The simulator, loaded with thousands of data points about Cayman’s road network, can be used to test the potential impact of any major project. Want to see what Cayman’s roads would look like with 10,000 more vehicles? The software can peer into the future and show you. Want to test the impact of public transport, carpooling or a road- pricing system? It can do that, too. How about a causeway across the North Sound or a flyover at the Hurley’s roundabout? All these projects can be built and tested in the virtual world long before anyone starts pouring concrete. The software, from German firm Planung Transport Verkehr AG, is a little like the video game SimCity - a virtual sandbox where engineers can play around with different ideas and see what works. “The beautiful part about the model is you can put anything in and see what’s going to happen,” says Edward Howard, managing director of the NRA. Quick wins Initially the software has been used to reinforce the case for a series of ‘quick-win’ projects and to demonstrate their expected impact on traffic. Perhaps just as critically, it is also being used to demonstrate what won’t work. According to Howard, doing nothing as Cayman continues to grow is pretty much a worst-case scenario. The authority’s consultants have plugged in work permit data and population estimates, extrapolating out as far as 2036. Perhaps unsurprisingly, with 100,000 people and potentially 70,000 cars on Cayman’s current road network, the island would grind to a halt. “The model has already told us that it’s looking pretty bleak. That won’t work. So then it’s like, OK, now what can we do?” Howard said. ‘We can’t build our way out of this’ The main goal of the quick-win projects scheduled over the next two years is not to absorb future growth, says Denis Thibeault, of the NRA’s transportation and planning unit. They are needed now. More lanes and a better- connected road network can make a difference for a short time. But if population and car ownership continue to grow, the models show it will only be a matter of time before the traffic jams are back and bigger than ever. “We recognise we can’t build our way out of this,” says Howard. Public transport, new centres of employment outside of George Town, congestion charges and import limitations will all combine in a coordinated solution, says Infrastructure Minister Joey Hew. Government has budgeted for consultants to provide a comprehensive national transport study by the end of the year. The NRA also hopes to use its software to work with partner agencies, including the Department of Planning, to help inform development decisions. The technology can test both the positive impact of public transport and the negative effect of new development to help influence government policy. Runway impact The airport is one area where it has already been used to project the potential impact of an infrastructure project. NRA engineers ran a simulation of what George Town’s roads would look like if a section of Crewe Road was closed to allow for the extension of the runway through to the end of the cricket pitch. Their conclusion was that this construction would have a disastrous impact on traffic. A journey from Owen Roberts International Airport to Grand Harbour at 5pm on a weekday took 90 minutes in that simulation. Multi-pronged approach Ultimately, the software suite is just one tool in what Howard says must be a ‘multi-pronged’ approach to planning for Cayman’s future growth. The model can show solutions but it does not assess cost, practicality or environmental impact. It will be up to government to decide the best approach, using the data alongside many other considerations. Minister Hew said the aim was to make sensible tweaks to the road system alongside other strategies to enhance public transport and reduce car ownership. He said a transport master plan was in the works and the current slate of road works, budgeted at just over $40 million for the next two years, can help ‘buy time’ to put that plan into action. Virtual highways: How smart data is shaping Cayman’s future road network The simulation software is being used to inform road building projects. NRA managing director Ed Howard and Tristan Hydes, deputy chief officer in the Ministry of Infrastructure, discuss the VISUM software programme. cayman compass 8 I issues TUESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2020The National Roads Authority is focussing on five main projects over the next two years. With just over $40 million in the budget, engineers are already at work on what they believe will be ‘quick wins’ when it comes to cutting traffic congestion.Sophisticated software has been used to build the roads in the virtual world prior to construction to assess their likely impact. software has been used to build the roads in the virtual world prior to construction to assess their likely impact. Road projects focus on quick wins 1. Linford Pierson Highway What’s happening? The Linford Pierson Highway will be expanded to four lanes all the way through to George Town, and a new roundabout will be added. Bobby Thompson Way will also be expanded to four lanes, through to the intersection with Smith Road. When will work take place? Infrastructure Minister Joey Hew indicated government was close to going out to tender on the project and work is expected to start this year. What difference will it make? Based on analysis using the software programme, VISUM, the NRA estimates maximum traffic queues on the evening commute will be reduced by as much as 1.5 miles by 2021 compared with a ‘do nothing’ scenario. In other words, the out-of-town traffic jam will start by the cricket pitch, instead of by A.L. Thompson’s. 2. Grand Harbour widening/improvements What’s happening? The plan is to add an additional lane in each direction from the Silver Oaks roundabout by King's Sports Centre, through to the Auto Spa roundabout (just before Barcam Esso). That’s around a mile-long stretch that encompasses the Grand Harbour roundabout, which will also go up to six lanes. When will work take place? The NRA expects road works to begin before summer. What difference will it make? The model suggests it will reduce queues by more than a mile for eastbound traffic on the evening commute. 3. Airport connector road What’s happening? The first phase of the airport connector road project will link the new roundabout by Cayman International School to Sparky Drive in Industrial Park. Eventually, the road will continue past George Town Barcadere to link to the airport, but that sec- ond phase is not budgeted as yet. When will work take place? The NRA expects road works to begin before summer. What difference will it make? The route is expected to lessen the amount of industrial traffic coming through the Butterfield roundabout by A.L. Thompson’s. The model shows it will reduce northbound queues along God- frey Nixon Way by 1.5 miles in the evening. 4. East-West Arterial widening What’s happening? A 0.6-mile-long stretch of the highway will be widened to four lanes from the Chrissie Tomlinson roundabout, which will also be wid- ened, as far as Poindexter Road. When will the work take place? Clearing has already begun and work is expected to be completed this year. What difference will it make? No precise modelling has been done on this route but it is expected to ease traffic flows through the roundabout and cut commute times for people in Prospect. 5. East West Arterial expansion (not on map) What is happening? The highway will be extended from Savannah, initially as far as Northward and then on to Bod- den Town. Eventually, govern- ment aims to take the road as far as Frank Sound, though that is not part of the immediate plan. When will the work take place? A small section could proceed in short order but an environmental impact assessment is required for the longer route. Government has money in the budget for con- struction over the next two years but a start date could depend on the outcome of the EIA. What difference will it make? Computer modelling has not yet been done on this route, but it is expected to alleviate morning queues out of Bodden Town and prevent traffic from a number of housing develop- ments backing up on side roads as commuters try to get on to Shamrock Road. 1. Linford Pierson Highway 2. Grand Harbour widening/ improvements 3. Airport connector road 4. East-West Arterial widening Mapping Cayman’s road widening projects Widening the Linford Pierson Highway is expected to cut tailbacks by as much as 1.5 miles by 2021 compared with a “do nothing” scenario. cayman compass 9 I issues TUESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2020Next >