New road pavings in George Town irritate drivers
(CNS): The appearance of new paved road ramps in downtown George Town around Heroes Square are irritating drivers, who say the raised crossings are too high and wide for some cars to navigate safely. The ramps are part of the capital’s revitalization project and the ultimate pedestrianization of the area around the courthouse, library and the House of Parliament.
Officials told CNS there was more work yet to come in the New Year in the area but they have not yet said which roads will be eventually blocked to regular traffic or when this will happen.
In response to questions from CNS following a number of messages from our readers about the new road layout, the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, which is overseeing the George Town project, said that they were aware of some driver concerns.
“The new paved pedestrian crossings at Heroes Square are part of the second phase of enhancement works scheduled for this central landmark, under the George Town revitalisation initiative,” a ministry spokesperson said.
“We are aware of the issues being faced by motorists. Further work continues in short order which will address same and help to accommodate both vehicles and pedestrians using the crossing. We encourage members of the public to proceed with care as adjustments are made to improve the area. The full works for this phase are due to be completed early in the new year.”
The paving project was announced back in March, a week before the elections. At that time the ministry began seeking bidders for the job, which included the street paving upgrade, kerbs and sidewalks, integrated concrete pedestrian systems, street lighting, addition of mature trees, seating and street furniture in the Cardinal Avenue, where the asphalt road was to be replaced with concrete coloured pavers.
There is no indication on the government’s Central Procurement Office website who did the work in this phase.
The project is due to move to the area by the post office at the junction of Edward Street, Cardinal Avenue and Main Street, which will involve replacing the road surface, adding a circular monument garden, trees, lamp poles and seating. Similar work is planned for the third phase of the project on Main Street.
According to officials, the ministry plans to release a more comprehensive update about the project in the New Year.
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Category: development, Local News
…basically admitting that they did a botch job and will fix it…but no reference to the additional cost that this will throw up and will be paid for by us, Joe Public, Mr. Tax Payer….just more government waste …with no accountability, no responsibility and NO ONE will suffer for their mistakes….
Just when you thought the incompetence couldn’t get any worse…
The new speed bumps make the road impassable for certain vehicles that meet the local vehicle licensing laws. Thus the CIG is actually in breach of its Traffic Laws.
I recommend that an action is brought against the government.
Carpe Diem
I fully agree that the CS should be held accountable for this disaster. But, to imply that the PS is perfect is ludicrous. Anybody else bank with CIBC?
They close the Plaza Venezia branch after recording record QUARTERLY profits. The only branch that had occasional parking.
Now there are about 10 customer stops (at best) in town. + by the time you get over the speed bumps on your way out of the parking lot, you have to go to your mechanic for new shocks.
Another flaw in design and implementation are the pedestrian crossings. The lights for peds to press are right on the cross-walk. Everyone presses the button and immediately enters the cross walk. Motorists need to stop on a dime! Accident waiting to happen!
Sensible implementation – place the lights a bit farther from the crosswalk, thus giving a few moments of safe time before a pedestrian can enter the cross-walk and enough time for drivers to observe and stop!
A LOT of road safety issues in Cayman are design flaws! Simple!
Morons in charge!
It’s like the government fools want to do exact opposite to what is tried and tested in the real world.
Buttons are usually placed next to the crossing. Otherwise you would have to have two sets of buttons on each side – upstream and downstream of the crossing, to provide the interval between pressing the button and entering the crosswalk. And even then you couldn’t control the time interval – some people walk faster than others. Or of course you could do what I have seen down in every single country bar this one – you have a timed interval between pressing the button and getting a green light to cross, during which time cars are warned that the crossing is about to open and they have to stop. But in Cayman we like to reinvent the wheel – or more likely we buy the pedestrian crossing from a contractor who has no idea what they are doing but is a contact of someone in procurement.
You’re not supposed to enter the crossing until the traffic stops, but I see that many pedestrians take that risk of just stepping into the road hoping traffic will stop.
You are correct. As a pedestrian, you want to positively ensure that traffic in both directions recognize you are about to cross.
I have to do the same thing when I get a green light — I always look both ways to see that the constant red-light runners have stopped. A lot of people in Cayman think a red light is just a suggestion.
if you think anybody in the civil service has the expertise to to handle a revitalisation project…you are sorely mistaken.
hence why it has been ‘talked about’ for 20+ years….
I’ve see a sign of a pending “development” by the Ministry of Tourism & Transport near the Lobster Pot boat ramp.
Anyone know what Kenneth Bryan is planning there?
Turtle Farm II. Otherwise known as something like the “Tourism Training and Island Experience Centre”.
Wote wehicle for GT. Nothing more, nothing less.
Alpaca farm
The East End ostrich farm was turned down. Seriously.
Talk about drumsticks!
Why would a dysfunctional island not have dysfunctional roads? Drive there if you can and stay away from there if you can’t. Plan your drives and be happy.
Mr Bryan and Mr Myles is this the Transport Board at work? If so please remove the speedbumps.
Three comments on the George Town destabilization process.
It is hardly enhanced by two sheds built on the corner opposite the LA building which are surrounded by grass and weeds.
The corner opposite the library is contrary to the Traffic Laws as the flora and other obstacles block the view of drivers coming from Seafarer Way. This is an accident waiting to happen.
I love the speedbumps which minimize traffic as only SUVs can negotiate them. I cannot wait to attend heroes day celebrations to witness the marching police and others negotiate the hurdles.
A Spokesperson? A Spokesperson??!!
Colin Lumsden is the GT Manager right?! Why not just go to him for the answers to the queries.
When there is a complaint, all we get is “a spokesperson said”. But when it is a photo opportunity or some big unveiling, all the names are listed under the picture and after the quotes in the story.
Who is responsible for this project? Be man or woman enough to own it!
Cha…
from the people who brought you:
south sound boardwalk to nowhere+ negligent fall hazard.
george town seafront railings with negilgent fall hazard.
roundabouts with cones and prepared crash areas.
cig/civl service…world class…welcome to wonderland.
Right, the bollards on the roundabouts make them more dangerous for those who have no idea how to navigate them. Dreadful road management!
Wait until all the tourists arrive! You can film a tv series on those roundabouts
Do we want to complain about anything else?!!! SMH
What we need are real trees planted downtown. Of course, they would have to be properly watered during the dry season which would obviously be a great challenge for our people in CIG.
Maintenance is not our strong point.
Yes shade trees like black olives on Cardinal Avenue that were planted by the Rotary Club many years ago. After a while they will need little watering.
We also need park benches like those also organized by Rotary and built by the inmates at Northward.
You want to revitalize George Town well then first ensure 4 lane arteries and then approve a casino built in one of those open fields around that pawnshop with a nice ten story rooftop bar and club overlooking the entire island. If you go that far how about abolish the midnight bars close on Saturdays which is INSANE considering Sunday brunch at 11am loads of people are getting drunk. Bars should be open till 4am is an easy fix and stimulus to the entertainment sector.
22 @ 5:06pm – Not exactly, I drive a mid-size American SUV and noticed a problem with the new curbing there a few nights ago. One portion of new curb on the corner actually intrudes into what was previously the road surface, that’s how I almost hit it.
So a massive environmental disaster for everyone else. So kind of you
Reach over, turn knob from 2-H to 4-L.
23 @ 9:27pm – Did I say anywhere that my SUV is 4WD? It is not! Moron.
In downtown Cozumel, the area is just for pedestrians. They have a square where there is music on Sundays. All the locals hang out and walk around. It’s quite lively.
Nice steakhouse right there.
We could learn a lot from Cozumel. A beautiful downtown that could be replicated in downtown George Town.
Never made it past Hooters
but there is alot of mexicans there…
Catholic colonial outposts in the New World were built around a grand central cathedral and administrative plaza template. Pirates do things a little differently, and three or four times, always with different money. Eg. Will there ever be a plan?
If the vehicles scraping their undercarriages passed inspection it’s the fault of the designers. If they didn’t, the RCIPS should station a car or two down there on a regular.
My sportscar meets both UK and US road specifications and has just been tested. I slowed to a halt and still the car bottom hit the speed bump. Poorly designed speed bump. Not everyone needs a gas guzzling SUV.
I have noticed a lot more cars using Cardinal Avenue in the morning. Another gridlock is surely on its way.
23 @ 9:25 am – So your sports car from the UK – be it Aston, Jag, Bentley V12, McLaren (yes I’ve seen in Cayman) is kinder to the environment than a 2.5L American SUV?
None of the above and has good fuel consumption. Any more questions?
The only design fault is that of those who designed the speedbumps. Not everyone wants a SUV. Spare a thought for the environment.
Love the new layout….people need to start learn to walk again!
Some will have to learn to waddle first
NRA and pwd strike again….world class!
Err- no- GT Manager and Tristan Hydes strike again u mean !
They are spinning the story that this is all part of a grand scheme but in truth the brick pavers are just set too high. They should be more level with the adjacent asphalt road.
The ‘new works’ next year will be done to rectify this error.
excellent, will cause flooding all around then…bozos
The South Sound boardwalk heroes?
Smith Cove fiasco
part 2.
It is not an NRA project – good try with your comment.
so just pwd???
If it’s not NRA approved it should be removed immediately.
They would have had to approve it
Jamrock Government. Classic – it’s easy to build, difficult to design.
I blame the assistants, assistant of the assistants office general secretary. Needs a bigger pay rise you racists.
And the acting assistants.
Where else do you think all the corruption is coming from???
Compared all the corruption brought in on WP holders since 2013, we never had it.
……why oh why do the GIG/CS constantly have to waste/fritter away our (and that of the international Financial Services industry’s fee generated) money…..?
Ill conceived, poorly executed and quite probably way beyond “budget” with possibly “no proper audit trail”, to quote any of the myriad of the Auditors General’s previous reports.
#worldclass.
All Georgetown needs to be revitalised is parking.
I see we have some nice umbrellas on Seafarers way. Hopefully just there for a photo op or occasional deployment. They will be in bits inside of three months otherwise.
Speaking of umbrellas, i noticed the advertising promoting Kenny Bryan Beach uses these same umbrellas on the “Opening Soon” sign. I guess that is going ahead.
Turtle Farm II
Stop driving around in lowered racer cars and you will be fine!
Cyclists?
Please wait and see.
The gondolas are on the dock now.
So is the Big Top.
Don’t feed the gondolas!
Revitalize what? I remember who nice it was back in the to go out and get my lunch when I was working in GT and sit in the now Hero’s Square that was then nicely shaded and gave you a chance to appreciate why you lived in Cayman in the first place.
Has never been much shade there before they took the few trees down to build the large concrete pad…
Clearly you are new here. There used to be massive shade trees out there back in the day…..a few drunkards under them too but beautiful greenery nonetheless
After driving over the second one, I had to ask my self if they were crosswalks or bridges. By far the most stupid thing for 2021.
How on earth does revitilization of George Town equate with pedestianization of some of the arterial routes through the capital. This will only result in gridlock as we have seen on many occasions when sections of these roads have been closed for functions.
As for all these planters (pots) that have appeared everywhere we have seen these before, they are a cheap and the contents die off as nobody from Govt ever waters them. What we really need are real trees like most other capitals of the world. They are as tacky as the latest “we love George Town banners hanging everywhere.
Having raised walk ways (pedestrian crossings) which link sidewalks without the need to go up/down is good, especially for strollers and handicap persons. Should have been done from the beginning. However they must accommodate the passage of vehicles with regular suspensions. If you suspension is too low then I suggest you ride the bus.
I love this. Can we have more of these crossing please.
Then perhaps we should do away with all the wheel chair ramps and raise the sidewalk entrances to avoid slopes.
I think what would help is another 3 pedestrian crossings within 3 metres of one another.
Seriously though, I went over them yesterday. I think they’re planning for rising sea levels. They’re ridiculously high. The only positive is that it will make it a ‘no numbnut’ zone, so all the dickheads in shoddy lowered Civics with bad damping, cannot use the road.
These are called Copenhagen Crossings and the drivers are idiots.
Wish we had them spaced out on Church Street to slow careless jackasses down
No bobo; Google Copenhagen crossing.
The red pavers would have been effective on the inclined portion to get the attention of drivers as they approach the crossing. Coincidentally, that’s exactly how it’s shown on the artist rendition above where the black car on the left is approaching the tan coloured area.
Would have been nice to know beforehand what the plan is, even if our input wasn’t important. Everyone was in the LA for the past few weeks talking up a storm and this was ‘planned’ for right outside but no one said peep.
These are just Lumsden lumps right now.
Can’t wait to see what kind of ‘icing’ is going to be added to them though:).
They used curbing to make a road ramp and added asphalt and they sit so high my van bumper hits it. This was a short cut and done again half a$$. More xmass gifts to friends. Just what would have taken to do this correct…
Now they have further ghettofied it by pouring concrete in front of it. #worldclass
Only because people are driving over them at regular speed…these are intended to slow cars down to ensure pedestrian safety hence the height differential. What’s next? People complaining about speed bumps because they drive over them too fast?
Nah, they were poorly built at a minimum, likely poorly designed as well.
Three thumbs down from Colin and crew.
How exaactly do they “ensure pedestrian safety”? By the time you hit them you have hit the pedestrian! If you want to protect people you need the speed bump BEFORE the crossing to slow the traffic!
The point of them is not to “hit” them! Duh!! You slow down as you approach them and check for any pedestrians before driving over them slowly, pretty simple really.
duh if you slow down before them there is no point in them is there?
They also slow down emergency vehicles.
Part of the history of this necessary redevelopment proceeding without more than lip service to public consultation regarding how people actually want Town improved, rather than the road engineers going doolally.
Just when you thought this government couldn’t get any stupider they go and do something like this in the busiest week of the year!
Could have been worse, Downtown was going to be closed for the Christmas market last Saturday.
Just like the characters from Dumb and Dumber when Lloyd trades his dog van for a clown motor bike. Sheesh.
NRA needs to understand that not everyone is driving a 4×4 pickup truck.
…but THEY are…(with our tax payers’ money) and that’s all that counts……
The govt wants us to go green, but at this rate we will all need 4WD SUV’s just to navigate these roads.
“Town revitalisation initiative”. Why not just call it what it has always been called – road works. Giving it a fancy name doesn’t hide the incompetence. Those ramps are just plain stupid and obviously no thought process behind them unless the designer has a shock and body shop.
I think you need to ask…
Who drew the plans; walkway elevations?
Are the elevations on the walkway built as drawn?
Who inspected walkway once complete?
Why does the responsible party for the miscarriage of a walkway still have a job?
It’s already chipped and broken. Were the warning cones part of the original plan?
Drivers in Cayman just get use to disappointment. It’s only going to get worst but this is the Cayman Islands after all.
Just wait until Dart builds the new 50 storey building at Camana Bay. U ain’t seen nothing yet in terms of traffic jams.