Motorists can now enjoy a quicker and smoother commute when driving along the Linford Pierson Highway, as Phase I of the project to widen the roadway is now complete and officially open.

“We are pleased to have reached this milestone,” declared Hon. Joseph Hew Minister for Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure. “Our community is growing and as such, our infrastructure has to improve to meet the growing needs. We understand that it hasn’t always been convenient, but we are grateful for the public’s patience as we’ve moved forward with this project.”

Covering a distance of just over one mile, Phase I of the project stretches from the newly built Agnes Way roundabout to the Silver Oaks roundabout. The corridor has been widened to 100ft., improving the capacity of the roadway. The upgrade improves the highway from a single lane on either side, to a bike lane plus two lanes in both directions, with the capacity to expand to three lanes in the future by reducing the width of the centre median.  Enhanced features include higher elevation, improved drainage and better lighting.

Safety was also an important consideration in the project. The National Roads Authority (NRA) installed guard rails, added a concrete curb line to establish alignment for future sidewalks, as well as improved street-lighting along the roadway. The street lights were upgraded to LED’s, as part of a NRA/CUC planned roll out of island-wide LED lighting. As part of the Government’s policy to focus on all types of traffic, and it’s mantra of making life better, bike lanes were also included to enhance safety of cyclists.

A first for road development in Cayman, the NRA added an underground telecoms ‘duct bank’ that will allow licensed telecommunications providers to install their cables, without the need to cut along or across the highway in the future.

Work to widen the highway began in June of 2016. “We were very deliberate about how we scheduled the work,” notes Edward Howard, NRA Acting Managing Director. “We were mindful of the high levels of vehicle trips this road accommodates and we wanted to minimise the disruption to traffic as much as possible, so we never closed the road entirely at any period. Work was planned so that only short sections of the road were inaccessible for short durations, and we always made sure to issue road closure and/or diversion information the public in advance; it extended the timeline, but we think it was the right choice.”

Two family homes had to be relocated to facilitate the widening project. Taking a step outside usual procedure the Ministry built new homes for the residents to meet the needs of the elderly family members being relocated.

Accommodations works were also carried out at the First Assembly of God Church, including a concrete safety barrier, paving and drainage works in the church’s parking lot.

“We want to thank both the Church Board and the families for working with us on this matter,” said Minister Hew. “It certainly was a sacrifice for them, but they understood the work being done is for the benefit of the entire community. So we are grateful for their cooperation, and the cooperation of neighbouring residents.”

The completion of this phase of the project pushes government forward in its drive to create greater connectivity of Cayman’s roadways by reducing congestion and creating a more sustainable road network for the future.

“We have a strong and thriving economy and our people need the freedom to move around with ease and safety, “comments Minister Hew. “This project does not live in isolation. It connects to all the roadworks you see taking place right now, and will enable us to grow and develop in a sustainable way.”

Construction cost for the project was approximately $7.1M and cost for compensation, including accommodation works was approximately $3.5 million.

The Ministry and NRA’s focus is now on several other projects, including the Elgin Avenue extension project, which will see the construction of a new two-lane roundabout with connections to Printers Way and Crewe Road. Construction will last approximately four months. Phase II of the Linford Pierson Highway project is in the early planning stages, and is expected to span from the Agnes Way Roundabout to the Smith Road/Bobby Thompson Way traffic signal.