The RCIPS is informing the public that traffic diversions for the KAABOO Festival will be implemented starting tomorrow, Friday, 15 February.

Traffic cones have been placed on the northbound section of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, between the Cost-U-Less and Yacht Club roundabouts, in preparation for tomorrow’s implementation; however, motorists will still be able to use both lanes of the Highway when travelling towards West Bay today.

In addition, the reduction of the speed limit from 40mph to 25mph along the Esterley Tibbetts, between the Cost-U-Less and Yacht Club roundabouts, is in effect as of this morning and will remain at 25mph through Sunday morning.

Road Closures and Traffic Diversions for KAABOO Festival

The following road closures and traffic diversions will be in place along West Bay Road and the Esterley Tibbetts Highway in order to facilitate the KAABOO Music & Arts Festival. The closures will be in place from 12:00PM on Thursday, 14 February, to 6:00AM on Sunday, 17 February.

Members of the public should plan their route in advance in order to avoid additional delays.

There will be additional signage along these roadways during this time and road users travelling on West Bay Road and the Esterley Tibbetts Highway are advised to pay attention to all road signs and to follow all traffic directions given by police officers.

The above diagrams provide an overview of the traffic diversions in place for the KAABOO Festival. A pdf version can be viewedhere.

Northbound Traffic travelling on West Bay Road

Diversion at West Bay Road and Lime Tree Bay Avenue.

There will be a checkpoint in place on West Bay Road at Lime Tree Bay Avenue, and only local traffic and KAABOO vehicles (authorized taxis and shuttles) will be permitted to travel northbound on West Bay Road past Lime Tree Bay Avenue.

Northbound traffic travelling toward West Bay via West Bay Road will not be able to travel past Lime Tree Bay Avenue, and will have to turn right and continue north toward West Bay via the Esterley Tibbetts Highway.

Northbound traffic travelling to West Bay is recommended to turn onto the Esterley Tibbetts Highway as early as possible for a smoother traffic flow.

Northbound Traffic travelling on Esterley Tibbetts Highway

Northbound traffic travelling toward West Bay via the Esterley Tibbets Highway should remain in the right lane. It is advised to move into the right lane as early as possible once in the Seven Mile Beach corridor.

Diversion on Esterley Tibbetts Highway in front of the Kimpton Resort.

Immediately north of the Public Beach roundabout there are three northbound lanes. Traffic will be forced to merge just before Raleigh Quay, where the leftmost lane turns off onto Raleigh Quay. Traffic in the centre lane will be forced to merge into the rightmost lane, and continuing traffic in the leftmost lane will merge into the centre lane.

Upon passing the merge point, northbound traffic will no longer be permitted to switch lanes. Traffic in the right lane continuing over the bridge must continue onward towards West Bay or turn right at the Yacht Club roundabout. Traffic in the right lane will not be permitted to turn left at the roundabout onto West Bay Road.

Traffic in the left lane continuing over the bridge must turn left at the Yacht Club roundabout towards the KAABOO site and will not be able to continue onwards toward West Bay. This lane will be reserved for KAABOO vehicles (taxis/shuttles/service vehicles).

In addition, the speed limit on the Esterley Tibbetts between the Cost-U-Less and Yacht Club roundabouts will be reduced from 40mph to 25mph.

The Esterley Tibbetts bridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists, who will be diverted to a footpath off the Esterley Tibbets, on the east side (closest to Yacht Club). A fence will be in place on the side of the bridge facing the KAABOO site (west side), and the site will not be visible from the Highway.

Southbound Traffic

There are no major traffic diversions for traffic travelling southbound from West Bay.

Southbound Traffic travelling on West Bay Road:

Southbound traffic travelling from West Bay and entering the Yacht Club roundabout from West Bay Road will not be permitted to loop the roundabout (make a U turn) and return to West Bay.

Traffic exiting the Public Beach parking lot must turn right.

Traffic exiting the Public Beach parking area onto West Bay Road will only be permitted to turn right (this exit is normally left turn only) and travel south on West Bay Road.

Southbound Traffic travelling on Esterley Tibbetts Highway:

Traffic diversions at the Yacht Club Roundabout (facing south).

Southbound traffic from West Bay (Batabano) travelling along the Esterley Tibbetts Highway towards the Yacht Club roundabout will not be permitted to turn right onto West Bay Road, but must continue south along Esterley Tibbetts Highway or turn left onto Yacht Drive.

Southbound traffic will not be permitted to turn right at the Cost-U-Less roundabout.

During peak hours, southbound traffic approaching the Cost-U-Less roundabout must stay in the left lane in order to continue south on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway. Traffic entering the roundabout in the right lane will not be able to continue south, and instead must turn right onto Lime Tree Bay Avenue. From there, traffic will then proceed left to travel south on West Bay Road. Traffic in the right lane may also continue around the roundabout and re-enter the Esterley Tibbetts Highway travelling north.

Parking:

There will be no parking for KAABOO guests on the site. KAABOO guests will have to park off-site and walk to one of the main entrances on site, or take available public transportation at one of three pickup points.

Airspace Restriction:

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands has restricted the airspace surrounding the KAABOO Festival. This means that the flight of all aircraft, including drones, is prohibited within one nautical mile of the festival site, and up to a height of 2000 feet above sea level. For more information view the CAACI release here.