NRA switches focus from LPH to other roads

| 03/09/2018 | 20 Comments
Cayman News Service

Roy McTaggart at the opening of LPH expansion

(CNS): Phase two of the Linford Pierson Highway (LPH) expansion project is on hold while government continues negotiations to purchase the necessary land to complete that road. In the meantime, the National Roads Authority (NRA) has switched focus to the new Elgin Avenue extension as well as a project in Savannah along the Shamrock Road near to Countryside. Work began Monday to upgrade the first of four parts of the road near the Hirst Road junction and improve drainage in the area. The entire project is expected to last two months and each section will be scheduled in turn.

Meanwhile, work is also underway on a new road extending Elgin Avenue east towards Crewe Road. This extension will include a new roundabout at the bend in Crewe Road at the end of the airport runway. Construction is expected to last four months and when the work is complete, motorists will no longer be able to access Printer Way through Thomas Russell Avenue.

It is not clear when the road works will re-start on the Linford Pierson Highway, but when it is fully completed it is expected to improve commute times for those living east of George Town. At the recent opening of the first phase the minister responsible for roads, Joey Hew, confirmed that planning for the second phase, which will span from the Agnes Way Roundabout to the Smith Road and the Bobby Thompson Way traffic signal, was underway.

$3.5 million was spent during the first phase compensating people whose land was taken for the project and more is expected to be paid out to landowners during the second phase.

Government had been at an impasse with the owners of a horse riding school. which the road is planned to cut across, who did not want to sell. But Hew said he believed the National Roads Authority was now close to an amicable agreement with the owners.

For more information on current road projects call call 946-7780 or email nra@nra.ky

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Comments (20)

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  1. Henry says:

    What is upsetting is that we spent years with the inconveniences and disruption plus a hefty costs for the new roads and traffic is worst than ever, even with the two lanes!!! I believe the Board needs to be sacked!

  2. Say it like it is says:

    McFiield Lane although only 50yards in length carries a lot of traffic, but both ends of the road are so constricted that only one way traffic is possible. The NRA has been negotiating with land owners for more than 10 years to purchase the small amount of land needed (which is available without needing to demolish any structures) to widen the access points. So far no progress has been made and for some strange reason compulsory purchase powers have not been exercised.
    Based on this precedent we are in for a long wait to have the LPH completed

  3. Anonymous says:

    Can the NRA please also focus on educating the public as to which lanes on a roundabout should be used where there are two (or more) lanes. People can be often seen to follow the outside lane to take a third exit which is dangerous. No point putting in more roundabouts if it is creating more risks on the road. Maybe closed circuit monitors recording traffic would help modify behavior?

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  4. Anonymous says:

    The Lions Centre and Hurley’s roundabouts are the biggest cause of traffic bottlenecks, and slow moving traffic.

    Careful planning has to go into resolving this issue, adding phase 2 to LPH will not make any difference.

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  5. EH says:

    why do they not complete 1 road and then move to the next just a bunch of BS, so many damn roads which have yet to be completed.

    crew road is a mess
    linford pierson is a mess ( TRAFFIC IS WAY WORSE)
    Esterly Tibbetts Hwy is a mess
    Mango Tree road is a mess

    FINISH AND THEN MOVE ON, all the digging up and leave is so is just damaging to the cars and annoying in the morning and evening traffic.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    I like the new LPH roudabout, it gives motorists even more opportunities to not use their indicators.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    I wish they would come up with a solution to the Hurley’s roundabout issue during the evening commute! Once past that, the traffic flows much better.

    Has there been any solutions brought forward to try to solve that problem which causes horrible traffic on both Crewe Rd (or is it Shamrock??) and South Sound?

  8. MERVYN CUMBER says:

    When will they ever complete the East/West by pass between Newlands and Lower Valley?

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    • Anonymous says:

      What for? The bottle neck is not there.

    • Anonymous says:

      Sorry, there aren’t any expensive hotels or enough wealthy communities going east so there’s no incentive to Government. It’s a shame because so many Caymanian families are being inconvenienced every morning having to get up at 5am just to drop their children off to school and get to work at 8:30.

      Can’t government see the misery in that?

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  9. Anonymous says:

    nra seeks needless projects to justify its existence……
    the incompetent handling of the bobby thompson issue over the last 15 years tells you everything you need to know.

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  10. Carl says:

    What’s the point traffic is still horrible!

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  11. Chris Johnson says:

    No chance of the Beach Bay to Manse Road road. Only suggested by Jim Bodden over thirty years ago. The proposed road is marked on the land registry.
    By the way when is NRA completing the yellow lines they started a couple of months ago. Many original yellow lines have been covered up or dug up.

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    • Anonymous says:

      What exactly is the point of the Beach Bay to Manse Road? Do either of these quiet residential neighbourhoods want through traffic? The only reasoning I have heard is that it will allow visitors at the new Beach Bay hotel to more easily access Bodden Town. BT is a 5 minute drive already, so this new road with save them about 2 minutes. Does that really justify the cost of building this new road? The road would also be bulldozing through untouched forest and this is the last long stretch of undeveloped coastline in Grand Cayman. Nothing adds up about the plan.

      • Nai Eve says:

        It all adds up quite clearly. As with most of these proposals, the real intent is to open up previously inaccessible land to jack up the value. Note the 19 acres that recently came on the market.

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