With the arrival of government’s new asphalt plant on-island, hope for new and upgraded roadways on Cayman Brac & Little Cayman has moved a step closer to realisation.
The plant arrived last week as a special shipment. Major components of the Terex Magnum 80 drum-mix asphalt plant were one unit containing the control cabin and raw materials, and another housing the asphalt, fuel tank and heater.
Once operational, the facility will be capable of producing 80 tons of hot-mix asphalt per hour.
Partnering the Brac’s Public Works Department on this project is the National Roads Authority which will supply key personnel and special heavy equipment from Grand Cayman. That equipment will include an asphalt paver, three dump trucks, two rollers and laboratory equipment.
Of late, Brac roads have increasingly demanded attention –moreso since they were last resurfaced some three decades ago. Today, the island has some 50 miles of roadways, including main thoroughfares on the north and south coasts, cross-island bypasses, as well as secondary roads.
Hon. Deputy Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly JP was on hand to witness the off-loading of the asphalt plant.
“I welcome this arrival which will be critical to both refurbish and create additional roads,” said the Minister. “It will also facilitate the continued development of property on the Bluff, and benefit the islands as a whole.”
Also present were Chief Officer Kearney Gomez; Deputy Chief Officer Tristan Hydes; District Commissioner Ernie Scott; Deputy District Commissioner Mark Tibbetts, and Mr. Colford Scott who has been allocated overall project responsibility.
Once additional preparatory works are complete and the components assembled and tested, the plant should become operational by late May.
