Minister confirms EWA will pave way for development
(CNS): Planning Minister Jay Ebanks, who is responsible for roads, has said that new development along the controversial East-West Arterial Road expansion is inevitable and the government will need to rezone the adjacent parcels so it can control the type of development that happens there. While claiming that the road project will only impact 1% of what he said was the 8,500 acres of Central Mangrove Wetlands, he made it clear during a radio appearance that it would pave the way for much more destruction of that habitat.
Ebanks justified what he accepted could be “an open market for development” on the basis that there is already a lot of development going on around the area “right now” and it was the only place where land was available, and that development would continue to happen “whether the road goes in or not”.
As a guest on For the Record, Radio Cayman’s talk show, on Friday, Ebanks confirmed his full commitment to building the road and said he wanted the scientists to get the environmental impact assessment done as quickly as possible.
Despite the claims by the government that the road will reduce congestion, the minister said people should not look at it as solving the traffic problems but that it was “a second alternative” or an “extra option” to move from A to B when there is a collision or natural disaster and in general to give commuters an extra hour in bed.
Dismissing concerns about the destruction of critical mangrove habitat and flooding of residential areas, Ebanks said he had received information last week that the road would only take up 1% of the land and only 49% of that was actually mangroves. The minister also claimed that research and clearing had already been done along the route, as he urged people to get on board with the project.
However, just a few moments later he confirmed concerns that the untouched habitat in the CMW would become an open market for the developers, which would multiply the destruction, and said he had spoken with the premier about the need to zone the land along the proposed route.
“What we need to do… is start to re-zone the properties along that route where the highway is going so we can control the type of development that will happen along that particular road,” Ebanks said. “We hear… the arguments and the people’s cries about the cost of land and the land shortage… to build on. This is something we really need to do, how we can start to re-zone certain properties.”
Ebanks said it would have been better if the government had been able to buy up the land and control a green corridor. But he said officials could not stop people who wanted to develop their private land alongside the road. “There is going to be development happening no matter what happens,” he stated.
The minister confirmed that the National Roads Authority is working to resolve the bottleneck at Grand Harbour which is a major cause of the congestion, compounding the sheer weight of traffic now on Grand Cayman.
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Category: development, Land Habitat, Local News, Science & Nature
Dude like where is the public transportation. You can literly go to any developing country in the world and they have a proper public transport. How hard is this?
Question is, who doesn’t want it?
I don’t want it. With damaging the environment have you considered who will be paying for this road? We all know it is not going to be for free and considering we barely making ends meet so how do you think it’s going to get better?
SO let me try to understand this. The minister have very little experience in anything that he’s talking about and yet because he was voted in for i would think promising something to the people of Cayman that he cant really deliver and now is responsible for millions of dollars to be spent improving Caymans roads and social housing issues. Did i get this right? (Outsider looking in)
Yeah, pretty much like any other democracy.
get ready for another speedway near residential turn offs….
https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/118t2pt/car_crash_simulation_at_different_speeds/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
impressive
Interesting, but are you sure the NRA will be putting crash pylons in the middle of the road ?
They don’t need to when CUC poles out of the way of the road seem to do the job just fine.
Because of third world drivers and law enforcment.
looks like everyday on the roads here. how many crashed abandoned vehicles have you seen in a week? I counted 4.
I guess Gilbert got tired of being the voice crying in the desert and his cries falling on deaf ears. Even smart intelligent people get tired. Since the 1990 Cayman has been regressing instead of progressing. We became more wealthy, but sadly less involved, alert and aware.
it was still fine in 2008. Friday’s Royal Palms live music, dancing….I am nostalgic
Dr Samuel Johnson. “Sir, I do not say that he is not honest; but we have no reason to conclude from his political conduct that he is honest.”
Minister Jay Ebanks “…and the government will need to rezone the adjacent parcels so it can control the type of development that happens there.”
Yes, as usual the rezoning will all be according to the $$$ paid to the various decision makers.
Zoning and rezoning has always been a corrupt process, always will be a corrupt process because MOST CAYMANIANS ARE CORRUPT.
corruption is the Caymanian way of doing business.
Good Ole Cayman Culture
So here’s a guy with (from what I can find that’s readily available), has no further education or qualifications besides leaving high school and been in the building trade for 20 years and yet makes the final stroke on housing projects, highway extensions and scoffs ‘scientists’ commissioned to provide an EIA. This is simply an augmentation of the closet of Wayne’s ninnyhammers.
He was in the building trades for 20 years? I don’t think he could bend over never mind work out in the heat all day. What a joke. Him and Jon-Jon are real role models!
21 @ 3:44pm – “Roll” models, perhaps?
Blame the electorate – they elected him! Elect clowns, enjoy the circus; that is what you deserve. I am sad to read all the repeated comments about how unqualified the Ministers are, how they don’t do what they promise; but the keep getting re-elected. Where are you all at election time?????
Exactly. However please bear in mind if anyone is honest, possess common sense, has integrity and educated 80, percent of Cayman’s electorate won’t support them.
The elephant in the room (or on the island).
Sadly, culturally inclined to not work 40 hours a week toward their independence and future. Happier begging for handouts from their tribal leadership who’s sole job is handouts.
The scientists who I assume the Premier believes, say not a good idea. The guy in charge says never mind about the road being unaffordable, the destruction of the wetlands that will negatively affect the entire environment because the road will pave the way for development. We hear him loud and clear- the answer to all of our questions, problems, disasters is to pave and pave some more! The past Minister still thinks he is in charge, God forbid if anything is done different from how he would have done it. The Premier hobbles around wringing his hands, muttering, and moaning. He sounds so sad and defeated. It would be funny if it all was’nt so dangerous to we the people and our Beloved Isles Cayman. He has no more control than a bulldozer going one hundred miles per hour without a driver destroying everything in its wake.
Personally, I can’ t wait for all the strip malls bucked right up to the roadside. Imagine how many more churches we will have once all these are built.
You missed out the empty multi storey concrete Monstrosities of Condo’s and Hotels
You missed out the multi story standing empty concrete monstrosities of condos and hotels that are already destroying the island character.
Getting the people to pay for a road to increase the value of their land holdings. Smart.
Caymanian politicians are absolutely hell bent on selling off and paving over their own country without any consideration for the future.
There’s always a xenophobic comment or 2 but those Caymanian MLA’s are the ones that are making the decisions.
These mangroves are what makes this country unique and beautiful. They are what set this island apart from every other island in the world. A real treasure! A road on the other hand can be found anywhere else in the world. The greed of a few will steal invaluable gifts of life from future generations without listening one bit to what it is they want to inherit.
the mangroves also trap more carbon dioxide than any tree can. let’s not forget help with drainage during a storm. this island is forked.
This individual is no minister he however like his mentor unca Bush is a huge embarrassment as is all those including the two ex ministers supporting this absolute rubbish but I will give him this he has rightly and up front stated has nothing to do with mitigating traffic but about developers making money $$$$. Thank you Political person for finally telling Cayman the real truth.
Since appears they are hell bent on paving our precious Mangrove swamp why not a shortest possible route or distance less expensive option of a direct road from near driftwood village vicinity to Newlands with a branch off in the lookout Gardens instead of this long highway to satisfy greedy landowners between Newlands and Franksound Road ???
What is so “precious” about our mangrove swamp? Go on Google maps satellite view and you will see 85% of the island is untouched swamp.
If you have not got it by now STAR there is absolutely nothing I can do for you all can tell you is ignorance is Bliss, but saying that we honestly don’t expect you to understand that either now mind you! You must be family !l
Jay just reenforcing how f***ing stupid Govt is and has been through multiple administrations. It does matter what EIA’s come up with, consultants relay, community opposition, it’s just a revolving door of ‘we don’t really f***ing care, we’re doing it anyway. Electorate of the Cayman Islands, these are your representatives 😔
*doesn’t – calm yourself down 7:57 😁
OP
The scientists who I assume the Premier believes, say not a good idea. The guy in charge says never mind about the road being unaffordable, the destruction of the wetlands that will negatively affect the entire environment because the road will pave the way for development. We hear him loud and clear- the answer to all of our questions, problems, disasters is to pave and pave some more! The past Minister still thinks he is in charge, God forbid if anything is done different from how he would have done it. The Premier hobbles around wringing his hands, muttering, and moaning. He sounds so sad and defeated. It would be funny if it all was’nt so dangerous to we the people and our Beloved Isles Cayman. He has no more control than a bulldozer going one hundred miles per hour without a driver destroying everything in its wake.
Wake up people – this road will open up a load of land owned by current and former politicians. With that land opened up by a road that was too expensive for THEM to pay for they can develop it and build their condos and make some real money. All a big sham to make the people of this country fund their retirement projects.
At least they are staying true to the T in PACT. And they will be held to the A come election time.
Gilbert, why are you being so damn quiet? Since you are the newly appointed NRA Chairman what sayest thou? We need to hear from you and understand how you are involved in all of this. Years ago, when you represented Bodden Town, your reasoning for building a new bypass road was a far cry from the runaway development and destruction of the eastern districts alluded to in the Jay Ebanks interview. We are waiting to hear from you sir.
Well, well! Greed and pocket lining at its ugliest. It was painful to listen to Jay Ebanks heave, splutter and stumble through that interview. It was embarrassingly obvious that young man is ill equipped to be a Minister! Wayne will owe this island an unrecoverable debt for choosing power at any cost over his own integrity, having once claimed to be a champion for the people and our environment. Shame! Shame! God help us.
Is this the same Minister who continues to allow Cayman Brac and Little Cayman to go without a full-time building inspector?
So, somewhere in the midst of spending tens of millions of dollars on roads, it would seem that the money could be “found” for supporting the development of Cayman Brac/Little Cayman.
It is a shame that contractors have to go weeks and weeks to get any sort of inspection done. And the person in the Brac office doesnt have any sort of answers about the schedule of visiting inspectors from Building Control Unit.
Under the current Minister not only the roads are getting bottle necked, but so are people who are attempting to build on Cayman Brac/Little Cayman.
Can we impeach the Minister and Director of Planning????
Dread to think what Grand Cayman will look like in 10 years time. The central mangroves will be gone, Barkers will be gone, 7 mile beach gone….mount trashmore will still be there of course. But as Sir Alden pointed out recently “the people don’t care about the environment”, it’s more important to be able drive everywhere in comfort without delays. What the hell do these political heavyweights think is going to happen if the population is increased to 100k. Building more roads and shoebox apartments will not remedy the overcrowding and drain on limited resources.
The canary is in the coal mine. Just look at the Florida Keys.
They are in their dying decades.
True, but the Keys passed legislation to limit and control the number of dwellings that could be built. Cayman has no stomach for such intellect.
Mr Ebanks is right, Look at a map of Cayman. This road will not have any impact. But what the road will do is help speed up the commute. That road has needed a double lane for along time.
And to bring the east end closer and with an additional better route. Means commute times are faster.
And yet the traffic management experts seem to think that it won’t make the commute faster. But I guess you know better than them, right?
Well, when everyone is going home on the road to the east now, ANYONE turning right. Holds up the entire traffic line. Until they can turn. if it’s a busy day for people coming into town. That line going east end gets longer and longer.
So…guess common sense isn’t your specialty
Help speed up the commute to the Hurley Roundabout Bobo.
The commute times will only be faster to that point.
Why don’t you get it?
With so many people and vehicles now here, attending any public festival is yet another miserable traffic day.
so lets not improve traffic flow ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE ISLAND….because of hurleys round a bout.
And then when they finally to figure a way to fix that. In your world. You would complain because they didn’t improve the road structure anywhere else so traffic is stuck again.
And listen up now bobo. Usually the ones who call others derogatory names suffer from the same affliction that they hoist on others. Except not wise enough to see it.
An article should be on where are the profits going and who is really benefiting from all of these developments. Also who are the buyers of these units?
With such a small island I think it’s ridiculous to approve low level 2 – 4 story units. If there is expansion it should be vertical to reduce the erosion of the wetlands and wildlife.
This is only one symptom on a long list of symptoms of rampant population growth, which is at the root of our greatest woes (there are many and they’re increasing along with population). This road is about developing eastern districts and the wetlands, not about solving traffic. If anything we’ll see more and more traffic that our roads cannot handle. If we hope to save Paradise we have to find a better way to pay the bills than endless population increase and development. It’s a kind of pyramid scheme in which we then need more infrastructure, which needs to be paid for with more population, which needs more infrastructure and the cycle continues… until there is no more undeveloped land. Then you build up and become Hong Kong. At some point there won’t be any wildlife or reef life left on a contiguous block of concrete and asphalt called Grand Cayman. Today’s early symptoms of traffic jams should be telling us to hit the brakes, not the gas. We might be able to ease the bottlenecks for a short while using every mitigation now being considered, but it should be perfectly obvious to all that we won’t be able build our way out of the jams coming ahead if we don’t heed the warnings in front of us now. 100k is soon come, but we still have no ceiling in sight. What makes anyone imagine that we’ll stop at 100K, short of 500k or even 1M? Our foresight should not be limited to 4 year cycles. Let’s have an Environmental Impact Assessment on population growth ASAP. I haven’t heard any MP ever talk about population control. Is it even on their radar?
Courtney Platt, you are absolutely right in all that you have said. Out of control population growth is the biggest problem we face but nothing is being addressed by the politicians. However, the late Dr. Philip Pedley did a study on this very topic and wrote a report, not many years prior to his passing. Of course it was basically ignored! If Dr. Pedley’s Report was not destroyed copy should be available from the government.
Are you just gonna develop the entire island until there’s nothing left for future generations?
This is Cayman, this is our way.
CMR government at its finest.
I think we need a referendum on this ——Dont hold your breath waiting on Johann and Mario to gather the troops!
Johann won’t say anything against this sham government. He, Wayne, and Sandra Hill helped create this mess.
Jay, Jay, Jay. You are Pro Development, so you cannot be unbiased. Why don’t you research and talk more about what a viable, affordable and round-the-clock public transportation system can accomplish, both in cost savings and preservation of our critical wetlands…too much for you to chew on? Or is it because you don’t know anything else but building asphalt & concrete jungles?
There’s no fair and balance considerations with this planning minister, folks.
Jay, there’s no debate needed, it’s what must be done to help curtail the ever increasing demand of high car ownership = long, more frequent traffic congestions. Either a proper public transportation system or restrictions on car ownership (similar to the Bermuda model), one, maybe both of these things needs to be implemented or nothing changes, but certainly today’s issues will be exacerbated if the EWA fully comes online (while being overpriced & behind schedule, it’s the only guarantee).
And for people out there that may think this is a new issue/problem, it isn’t. All past governments are to be blamed, going back at least 20 years. This was always going to be a big problem to tackle, but every elected persons kept sweeping it aside, passing it along to the next same old, same old until finally, here we are.
Truly a sad state of affairs.
‘Ebanks confirmed his full commitment to building the road and said he wanted the scientists to get the environmental impact assessment done as quickly as possible.’
It also confirms the ignorance of process by the Planning Minister responsible for roads.
Please let our prince be aware when he arrives what you intend to create and destroy our central mangroves by this road and port which you and the government intend to push on the people.
Minister Jay, why should I have to pay to put a road in for landowners to develop or sell their land? Seems like an unfair deal to me!! The get profits and all the joe public gets is contaminated ground water, destruction of our environment which could damage our only natural tourist attraction, sting ray city and more asphalt/concrete.
We don’t need more roads. Less cars, a supportive bus system and sustainable population growth will give cayman the longevity and breather this island needs.
Minister Jay Ebanks seems to forget what his job is. He was elected to serve the best interest of the people not that of the developers. His comments are clear that development is more important than the ecology or desires of the people. I was encourage when PACT took over with their promise of looking after our beautiful islands. They line the politicians before them are just looking out for the developers and their own pockets.
Jay going ‘Ultra PACT’ – wtf is going on with this Govt, mid-term evaluation all done with then is it Wayne ?
Wayne Panton. Thank you for putting together what will undoubtably by the worst government in Cayman history. And that is no small feat.
You Sir are an abject failure.
He’s a dumb as Jon Jon…..
And that takes some doing!
John John is a genius next to this guy. Observe.
You can’t make this stuff up. Premier says one thing & then the ministers next. From Kenneth to Jay wanting to bulldoze and build everything to make our island resemble Miami. This is crazy.
Better look for somewhere else to live.
nextvelections..dont talk politics to me…dont want hear it! they all same…ppm..udp..pact
I sense this government will end very badly. They are all really just to big headed and think themselves masters over the people.
So the environmental assessment report done by a firm with global expertise in the field is now rendered meaningless?
Wonderland
The area north of the road is projected to be below tide level by 2030. How would the planning board approve development in a flood zone?🤔
https://coastal.climatecentral.org
Not a problem for this CPA. They’re fighting DoE in court to allow their approval to rebuild that building in the sea off-shore Boggy Sand Rd
only 49% of that was actually mangroves. ??? only…
I agree the EWA extension needs to happen, and soon! Mitigate drainage concerns by elevating the road on pylons where needed. Clearly there are some that already have their homes along the seven mile stretch or south sound, and simply do not care about those of us who live in the eastern districts.
Once again, the ribbon of a roadway going east, with the dozens and dozens of turn-offs to developments and driveways, from savannah is too small to safely accommodate today’s traffic needs. Any accident makes this a compounded safety issue as there is to alternate route. And with tomorrow’s needs the situation will get even worse.
Therefore it is clear that a halt on imported population growth is severely needed!
Traffic was a breeze this morning, then I realised it’s half-term and that schools are in recess.
What a difference it makes!….Also makes you think about creative solutions.
This is what it woukd like with mandatory bussing for all schools and remote work, as thousands are on holiday.
Mandatory busses, mandatory remote work.
Minimal costs and minimal environmental impact. The best of both worlds.
Mitgate loss of wetlands and limit development by building the road on pylons then development could only happen around exits and entrances, rather than the entire length. Of course this might be too sensible, sustainable and cause certain landowners to lose out on their greedy plans and ulterior motives, so it will probably never happen.
P.A.C.T. Of B…S…
flip-flopping beyond belief and grasping at straws too…..train wreck of an interview.
“Despite the claims by the government that the road will reduce congestion, the minister said people should not look at it as solving the traffic problems but that it was “a second alternative” or an “extra option” to move from A to B when there is a collision or natural disaster and in general to give commuters an extra hour in bed.”
So this won’t solve the traffic problems (obviously), but I’ll somehow still get an additional hour in bed? Truly some magicians in our government…
The road is proceeding whether we like it or not guys and gals. And just as a forewarning, this will happen in true CIG fashion as well. Double the price and double the time, with half the functionality promised and a lot of pockets getting lined.
Maybe after this is done in a decade or 2 we can finally look at solutions that may actually work like: a) Busses for all schools b) Alternating WFH schedules c) Islandwide flexi-time for work d) Bigger busses/trams with a consistent schedule. Just to name a few.
Just STOP already. We don’t want any more development.
So you say, but the money gang want it and they will get it because money talks and bulls%$t walks. Just write off the mangroves and anything else as that road is going forward whether anyone likes it or not. Minister Jay just let the cat out of the bag but PACT will do as they are told. Bye-bye trees and little critters, put some up in the botanic park for the future generations to look at.
Too late, Cayman Gone
https://periodismoinvestigativo.com/2022/01/cayman-foreign-investors-identity-crisis/
Speak for yourself.
Minister Ebanks what part of the argument that our current infrastructure cannot support more development did you not get? It like when your organs start to fail when your body goes through a massive increase in weight. This analogy should be familiar So please take heed instead of ignoring the Premier’s mandate.
Minister Jay could give a rats as@ about the infrastructure, just get that road built big guy!
The Premier chose Jay and others to gain the power he wanted but lost it in one foul swoop. By now he must realise that he has no power over his PACT nor can he even anticipate what they will choose to do! Welcome to thug governance folks.
Voters need to recall that bad ideas can be put to a stop with a Petition from 25%. This is one of those things, like the Port, and also Cargo that needs to stop.
Wrong. We are yet to vote on the cruise port. Hold our referendum now!
Best speed that up as it was said clearing work was already happening.
Yes 2:45! Who is ready to champion the Referendum to stop this road and the further destruction it will cause, all for greed? Jay Ebanks was basically forced to admit this, whether he realised what he was saying or not! Let us now come together and reclaim our power! People power!
To many pork pies!
Too many snouts at the trough.