Ground was broken Tuesday (6 September) for the Esterley Tibbetts Highway extension.
Phase One of the project will extend the present highway to Yacht Club Drive and includes the closure of the stretch of West Bay Road between Governor’s Harbour (across from the Public Beach) to Yacht Club Drive. Phase Two will take the extended highway northward to Batabano Road.
The US$33million road works were described by Premier the Hon. McKeeva Bush, OBE, JP, as the first in a series of projects under a public-private sector partnership between the Cayman Islands Government and Dart Realty known as the ForCayman Investment Alliance.
Leading the ground-breaking on Dart property on Batabano Road in West Bay, Mr. Bush hailed the initiative as a significant development in Cayman’s history -- especially since it would be built at no cost to government.
He said Dart would give government 20 acres in the Batabano Road area. In return, the company would gain access to its properties along the extension corridor.
The Premier added that the Islands would benefit from the creation of a congestion-easing road that would remain usable in inclement weather. More importantly, it would improve the economy -- providing employment for local businesses, contractors, truckers, labourers and heavy equipment operators, he noted.
The Cabinet-approved road extension project is expected to be completed in 15 to 20 months, and would follow all regulatory and permitting processes, Mr. Bush added.
