CIG finances ETH extension from Dragon Bay sale
(CNS): The government is using over $5 million that it received as part of the sale of crown land to Dart to part finance the expansion of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway to four lanes from town to Camana Bay. Work began yesterday to clear government-owned land on the eastern side of the ETH-south to facilitate the work, which is being undertaken by Dart. A release from the premier’s office said the work is part of a greater plan to enhance the road, as agreed in government’s controversial National Roads Authority (NRA) deal with Dart Realty (Cayman).
“Government is using US$5.02 million, part of the proceeds from the sale of the Dragon Bay Leasehold property to Dart Realty, to pay for the work,” a spokesperson from the premier’s office stated. “The sale of the Dragon Bay property was carried out in accordance with the Governors (Vesting of Lands) Law (205 Revision) and was advised previously in the press and at the Legislative Assembly,” the office stated.
The cost of the work, officials stated, was reviewed and agreed by the NRA to ensure it was competitive and offered value for money.
“Not only is the cost competitive but allowing Dart to complete the road works makes sense given that they are already mobilised with the work they are undertaking in the area,” government officials added. Once completed, the enhanced highway will offer more efficient traffic flow as well as a straighter and safer roadway, they said. It will also be the gateway for a future Airport Connector Road.
Dart Realty is doing the constructing on behalf of the Cayman Islands Government, as agreed in the deal, but it has already begun the widening along the northern portion of Esterley Tibbetts Highway along the eastern perimeter. Preliminary work to widen the southern portion of the highway will begin on Monday, 25 July.
Officials also said that having Dart do the construction frees up the NRA and its teams to focus on other road works, as government presses ahead with an ambition renovation project in and around the capital. One major project is the widening of the Linford Pierson Highway in George Town. Covering around a mile, from the Silver Oaks Roundabout by the First Assembly of God church to the intersection with Agnes Way. “It will provide a much-needed increase in vehicle capacity, and significantly reduce traffic congestion in morning and evening peak hours,” NRA officials said.
Historic NRA traffic counts revealed that back in 2003 the Linford Pierson Highway accommodated about 13,800 vehicles per day. In 2009 traffic volumes averaged about 18,100 cars daily but by February of this year the number had reached around 19,350.
As well as widening the road to four lanes and installing a centre-median, work includes improved drainage and street lighting for pedestrians and motorists. A roundabout will also be constructed at the Agnes Way intersection. Major utility infrastructure work will be needed, such as the relocation of CUC poles and Water Authority mains.
Some clearing and minor works has been underway, including land-clearing along the roadway, but during the rest of this month NRA workers are widening the sub-base of the road working between Silver Oaks Roundabout and Halifax Drive on the south side of the roadway.
As there will be minimal traffic interruptions during this phase, motorists should exercise caution and watch for heavy trucks and equipment entering and exiting the main road.
The public can call 946-7780 or email nra@nra.ky with questions or comments about the work.
Category: Local News
Not sure why the Linford Pierson HWY expansion is not going straight to Bobby Thompson Way. Hopefully there’s a plan to take it all the way eventually.
Dart basically paid PPM $14 million to give him what he wanted all along. Better access to Camana Bay.
You’re joking right? The LPH upgrade is centered on Agnes way, the most pointless road on the entire planet? It should be for access only. You don’t need a roundabout there, you just need to close it as a through road.
Please give Dart the Dump for lland or sell sell it to him.He will complete his puzzle and we’ll get the dump cleaned up. He at least will get it Done.That way it won’t be the first thing our cruise ship visitors see or smell it. First impressions matter a lot. Dump before dock makes more sense.
Amen to that!
Dart’s plan was to cap the current dump and build a lined bed to start again in Bodden town, no-one is planning on cleaning up anything, sorry. Although it should alleviate the smell…
He was also going to pipe it to release the gas build up, and turf it over so it wasn’t unsightly and could be used as public space. Cleaning it up doesn’t have to mean it disappears.
No, but cleaning it up does mean more than sweeping it under the rug.
So Dart buys some land from the Government, in order for the Government to be able to afford to pay Dart to expand the road to allow more people to spend money in Dart’s city.
These politicians know how to play fool but don’t make them fool you. They got enough schooling and sense to know better. They line their own pockets while giving away the country. Making you think they never know better is their best defense.
Exactly!!!
My thoughts exactly. Dart is very smart.
All is lost. Coming soon: More Dart!
PPM received 14 million for the leasehold of Dragon Bay which proves that once again they have failed in negotiations and gave away crown land on the cheap. DART are laughing at the UDP for the FCIA and the PPM who continued the give aways to a billionaire
Build all the new roads you want. Expand current roads all you can. Without some sort of import control on motor vehicles, these roads will simply be crawling as is now, not too long after all roads are built/expanded.
Too many people = more cars. Bermuda restrictions, part deux. It’s going to have to happen or just put up with the traffic congestions.
Mark my words, dear people, mark my words.
Here’s an idea, get a Properly run Public Transportation System in place. What a concept! But I’m not holding my breath, expect when driving bumper to bumper.
Well said brother!
Problem is Bermuda’s solution sucks. I think it’s simpler than that, take the traffic at the moment, it is noticeably quieter during school holidays, so if we can figure out how to get all the kids to school without using the same number of private car journeys we’ve pretty much got it solved.
Have you realised that the traffic is also less outside school drop off and collections hours? Cross your mind its because the parents and the kids are off island?
Ehhh, buses? Not exactly rocket science.
clear as mud…..
in dart i trust….
I believe Gov’t should make from Savannah 2 lanes going towards GT.
Spotts straight and Lindsford Pierson should be 3 lanes into Gt.
Likewise leaving GT there should be 2 lanes going credit union rd straight through Savannah.
The problem of South Sound and South Church Street is traffic will be triple in cars through town. I believe because of the schools through Walkers road it would make sense to put a 4 lane straight through Smith road and bypass Harbour drive to Lindsford highway. Just my 2 cents.
OR, move some development and business Eastward. Too many people rushing to town everyday to work or to school with their kids. When will we realize also that we have too many people here already. Sorry to be the bearer of bad and obvious news, but this is the truth.
We have some major issues plaguing this tiny country (in no specific order):
1) We have the dump (killing us all slowly);
2) Poor public education (even though millions spent on God knows what as there are no positive results from the absurd spending);
3) Horrible public transport system and unreliable to say the least, vehicles that are not road worthy causing undo air pollution everyday and we have to ingest it;
4) Crime – organized beyond belief these days;
5) Greedy politicians;
6) Domestic abuse & pedophilia;
7) Disgraceful immigration service;
8) Disgraceful customs service;
9) Finally the cost of living I.E the price of petrol, the price of utilities and the price of food from any local supermarket!
Wow!!! The Linford Pierson project is seriously just to Agnes way?
What is the point??? And worse to put in a roundabout there.
Four lanes please from Kings to Smith Road. Thank you!
Rounadbouts do not work during rush hour. Have a look at how long it takes to enter the Cayman National roundabout from either coming from ALT ( could be 20 minutes) or from Elgin Avenue (could be 20 seconds) one evening.
These new bypasses are not freeways. They are way over built for the speed limit and amount of traffic.
The road between the lights at Shedden Road and the Butterfield Roundabout should be the model throughout the country. 4 lanes with a turning lane.
’roundabouts don’t work’????
welcome to planet crackpot….
I said… At Rush Hour.
“Rounadbouts do not work during rush hour. Have a look at how long it takes to enter the Cayman National roundabout from either coming from ALT ( could be 20 minutes) or from Elgin Avenue (could be 20 seconds) one evening.”
Seriously… You need to see it to believe it.
Roundabouts are cheap.
What about financing the mule trail that is in the eastern districts?! How about getting the bypass done??!!
That isn’t close enough to dart lol