Part of Seafarers Way open to one-way traffic

(CMR) Seafarers Way, between Fort Street and Goring Avenue, will be open to one-way traffic from Thursday, October 27, at 4 pm to Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 4 pm to accommodate the final works in the first phase of the George Town Revitalization Initiative.

Local access will still be available. The road will be open to southbound traffic from 4 pm to 7 pm. From 7 pm to 4 pm, the road will be open to northbound traffic. Large trucks and container trailers traveling north during this time will be rerouted at Memorial Avenue to help mitigate congestion. 

As part of the Ministry of Infrastructure’s long-term initiative to revitalize central George Town, the project has focused on improving accessibility and walkability in the downtown area, including rezoning a section of Cardinall Avenue into a pedestrian-only street.

All major work is complete to Cardinall Avenue, which has also included enhancements to underground infrastructure, new street lighting, and landscaping, as well as the planned addition of new urban furniture.

Over the weekend, a section of Seafarers Way was readied for enhancement, and over the coming weeks, it will be required to reduce the volume of vehicle traffic along the waterfront to accommodate the final works. 

Provisions have been made to minimize the disruption to commuters as much as possible, the Ministry said.

As part of this last phase of the project, Seafarers Way will gain two pedestrian crossings that will connect the new Cardinall Avenue to Seafarers Way’s pocket park on the waterfront, as well as additional landscaping and the installation of a solar-powered smart bench that will offer free wi-fi courtesy of SALT Technology. 

“By reimagining the central business district as a whole, we are improving the overall experience through pedestrianized streets, shared cycleways, and modern technology,” explains Colin Lumsden, George Town M,anager and Revitalisation Initiative Coordinator.

“The pedestrianization of Grand Cayman’s most famous shopping street will help to create a highly attractive destination for visitors and a richer urban experience for residents,” he added.

The George Town Revitalisation Initiative is a multi-year government project led by the Ministry and designed to bring life and vibrancy back to Cayman’s capital. Robson Construction is leading the Central Business District Enhancement Project works with support from long-standing partners of the revitalization initiative, the National Roads Authority, Caribbean Utilities Company and Apec Consulting Engineers Limited.

“This project has not been without its challenges, as we navigated through the supply chain issues, and scarcity and rising costs of construction materials, that were being experienced globally,” said Lumsden. “Thank you to our project partners for all their hard work and support, as well as the local businesses and general public for their patience and cooperation.”

Follow George Town Revitalisation Initiative on Facebook (facebook.com/GTRevitalisation) and Instagram (instagram.com/gtrevitalisation/) for more information on the initiative and its projects.