Dart’s road opens Monday

| 13/09/2013

(CNS): The final stretch of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, which has been completed for several months, will open to traffic Monday, the planning ministry and the National Roads Authority said Friday in a release from government. Phase 2 of the extension into West Bay runs from the northbound leg of the new Yacht Drive Roundabout and terminates on Willie Farrington Drive and Batabano Road. The extension forms part of what is known as the NRA Agreement between Dart Realty and the government, which was signed by the then UDP administration in December 2011. Dart remains in talks with the new government over the full deal but there has been no update on progress since early last month.

Speaking at the PPM’s National Council Meeting on Saturday 10 August, Planning Minister Kurt Tibbetts said that talks were ongoing with the islands largest developer, as the PPM administration had particular concerns over the 50% tax waiver that the previous administration had agreed to give Dart on all tourism accommodation that it owns now or will aquire over the next thirty years. The issue of the value of the land swap as well as the need for some kind of through access on the West Bay Road were other points that the PPM had raised on the campaign trail.

However, although Tibbetts had said he was expecting to make an announcement soon after the meeting, more than a month later government has made no further comment other than to state that talks are continuing. CNS has emailed a request to the minister for an update and is awaiting a response.

Although there is no further news of the agreement, the road will now be carrying traffic from George Town into the heart of West Bay. The highway is a continuation of the existing dual lane carriageway, with the exception of the Willie Farrington Rd connection, which is a single carriageway with no median.

All work has been completed on the road, and the National Roads Authority (NRA) has concluded the required safety audits to sanction the opening of the highway, officials stated. The posted speed limit is 40 miles per hour on the main highway and then 30 mile per hour on the Willie Farrington Connection.

The first phase of the ETH was opened in 2006. Then, then following its agreement with the UDP government, Dart began work on the road in 2012 and opened the first part of the phase 2 extension in March.

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  1. pmilburn says:

    I drove this new piece of road today(Tuesday)for the first time and found it to be a nice road UNTIL I got by the quarrying that is going on behind there.Its mind boggling how big and from my observations how deep they are digging with these big back hoes (or whatever they are called)What is the purpose behind what will be done with this huge "hole"in the ground afterwards?Will this be an inland area for boats to hide during a storm(they would obviously have to make another bridge to drive over)or is there something else that this will be used for?Just wondering.Another dolphin attraction or is this where rumour has it that a huge water park will be created?Time will tell but I seriously wonder what effect all this digging will have on our ground water.Can anyone tell me if any blasting has been done here?

    • Anonymous says:

      It has been and is a quary.  It idoes not have access to the sea.  it has been a quary for a long time.

    • Anonymous says:

      the water area was there before road build.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Great road. I must say after all the bashing Mac got because of this, I bet his same critics are enjoying the road same way. And they should agree it is a plan that was to have been in place years ago. Mac has tried. Infact looking at hia career, he is the only one who fought for us. It’s just a shame people were too busy battling him because of envy. Great job Mac and Dart. Wouldn’t had ever happened with out you!

    • Anonymous says:

      Envy? Some things he did well, that is for sure. The rest was hidden and untransparent which is always an issue, generally only those with something to hide dislike the light of day

    • Anonymous says:

      hmm, enjoying the road? Really?? what other option do they have to leave west bay again? boat?

    • Anonymous says:

      Nobody was ever against the road, you dolt. They were against all concessions being given and the closure of the WB Road at the public beach.  

  3. Anonymous says:

    been on new road this morning and well done Dart as they did fantastic job!

    • Fangio says:

      The new road is great except for the idiots that race down in the fast lane and then cut abruptly into the slow lane to take left turn exits to the detriment of decent drivers who are happy to take their time. I drive in from West Bay each morning and revert to the old West Bay road at the public beach to avoid these jerks. The same at night. No racing and very quiet. The fuzz need get out there.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Finally some thing is finished on time and on budget.  And there is REAL auditable results.  The Cayman islands government and its people should take note.  It can be done here.  But it takes expat knowledge.

  5. noname says:

    Had a nice drive to work this morning. Thank you Mr. Dart!

  6. Anonymous says:

    We should give credit where credit is due .It should be named Dart's highway. For if it wasn't him who built it then whom? It's been on the wish list for so so many years and it was finally done by him. Dart's highway.

    • Anonymous says:

      I have to agree with you 00;31

      We as Caymanians and who ever live here, have to come to grips that we will never be in a position very soon or in the near future to support or build any form of infrastructure.

      Just remember, we have to bring our out standing debt down by 300 million dollars, thats the reality of it.

      On top of that government is behind with their pension contribution by 250 million dollars.

      it is going to be a long haul to get where we will be financially indipendent.

    • Anonymous says:

      So first twe name the road then what the country?

      • Anonymous says:

        what country? British overseas territory more correctly, and no, they won't let you rename it unless a majority of Caymanians vote to do so.

    • Anonymous says:

      Bullseye

  7. Anonymous says:

    We will need Street Safe and the NRA to tell us the proper way to deal which Islands first official   "Oblong-A-Bout".  It will now have six available feeds feeds (four fully active and two inactive but still used by some).  most people are now using the outside or inside lane to go from West Bay Road to the "sky-way". exit.

    Time to educated the masses.

    Please drive safe, folks, it is going to take time for people to undersatnd the rules and follow them.

  8. And says:

    Do you nits praising DARt and MAC realise that we gave away hundreds of millions worth of land and tourist tax in order to get this road? There was no "Walue for money" and MAC should have been stopped before he forced the NRA to sign the deal. By the way does anyone not think it strange that the NRA signed the deal ? Since when did they become the countrys investors?

    • Anonymous says:

      What land was worth hundreds of millions of dollars, I know you're not referring to that stretch of blacktop.. and as far as the tax it was capped at 45 Million Dollars..

       

      Get your facts right people before passing judgement.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you 19:14!  Finally someone with some common sense and bit of intellect seeing through the smokescreen here. 

    • SSM345 says:

      19:14, how are we not getting  value for money when we are giving DART  a break on duites etc to the tune of " hundreds of millions", and he is giving us close to a billion dollars if not more in the coming years according to the PwC Report?

      • Anonymous says:

        He is not giving us anything. He is INVESTING for his own return.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Yay! Our race track between Yacht Club Drive and the Ritz was getting waaay to short! The extra mile or two will make a huge difference, can't wait!

  10. Anonymous says:

    I am going to miss the memories of driving on the old West Bay road with my ex-boyfriend of 25 years ago.  The only thing I add left of hymn was that road.  I really do not think that his fare to me.  

    • Anonymous says:

      Not to worry sweetie, now you can concentrate on your boyfriend of the next 25 years.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Boycotting the new road is not going to work.  We have enough brilliant Caymanians and expats who are not small minded and are happy  to use this road. 

    • Anonymous says:

      11;21

      You have said a mouth full….. narrow minded people are destroying the tranquil cayman.

      Thank God for the majority of us that  live here,  Caymanian and expats alike, we all get along well.

      Some of us think we will live forever.

    • Anonymous says:

      How could you boycott the road if you live in West Bay?  Certainly not by taking the old road instead.  That is the point.

      • Anonymous says:

        How about boycotting by not leaving West Bay!  THAT Is the point! Stay up there and stop bringing your petty antics to the rest of us who understand and appreciate the progress of this road!!!!!

         

  12. Anonymous says:

    I will not be using his dam road!   My helicopter comes in next week. 

  13. Eat Chicken! says:

    Mr Dart, I'd like to thank you for the nice road, except for the part about re-joining West Bay to the rest of the island.  I thought we had an understanding about that?

    • Anonymous says:

      Sun 9:48  Keep your stupid comments to yourself and stop degrading West Bay! Only ignorant people make such remarks! It's not funny!!

      • Eat Chicken! says:

        Actually, 46 people thought it was funny so far… I mean it's not like we renamed it The Kingdom of Macbushistan and made its national symbol a Glock 23 superimposed over a washing machine (with a price tag reading $0.00), I mean really.  You have to lighten up (and I don't mean 180 grains at a time).

  14. Anonymous says:

    Now lets see what the CIG has to give in return for this excellent work since they no longer seem to want to live up to their end of the deal..

  15. 4Cayman says:

    Wait until your royal hindness puts up tolls on these roads. Lets see if yo will be happy and think you will be getting home any quicker. The problem I see with people today is that they are so shallow thinkers. Do you believe dart is really doing all of this for cayman? Do the research and see how many properties dart owned that were probably land locked and this road now gives him full access.

    The only thing this reminds me of was when the American Indians got rum and trinkets for their land. Look where they are today? Have you seen and Indian president in the USA? Don't forget history or we all going to wake up to a rude awakening. I can see the headlines now…Dart as Premier!

    • Diogenes says:

      Lot of rum and trinkets – know how much it cost to build something like that?  And sure, he needs access to develop his land, but if he was going to do that

      1) wouldn't need a 4 lane highway – lot cheaper solutions available

      2) those solutions could have more local access points than this one – be alot easoer for his property development

      3) he wouldnt need to run it all the way to West Bay – do you really think the likely buyers of his property developments want a link there – access to town, Camana Bay and the airport are the issue

      – so he could have saved a bundle.  The road is teh size and scale it is because CIG wanted it that way.  You can argue till the cows come home as to whether Dart or CIG got the better deal, but rum and trinkets?  Really? 

    • Anonymous says:

      Yea, poor things just got their first Indian Miss America.

  16. Chris says:

    Dear Dart His Royal Hindness,

    We thank you for your kindness,

    Without you we would have no road, cinema or park,

    If only the people could accept these gifts without negative remark!

    All hail Dart!

    Lets build a monument inside each park,

    So each can touch, admire and thank him.

    In recent times the cry has been,

    We are broke! Woe is me!

    No need to work or save for what we need,

    Just bow to Dart and plead,

    He will intercede.

    Now dont pray for our beach accesses or our old West Bay Road,

    Unless Dart may take his toys out of our sandbox,

    And go to play house in Turks and Caicos

    Which may not be so bad,

    If it means we will regain our dignity and once again learn to do for ourselves.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Gawd.  Delusional and paranoid.

    • Anonymous says:

      Dear Chis,  Mr. Dart gift to us will cost the Caymanians  aprox. 36 million dollars and the so we will be paying for this beautiful gift for very, very long time.     Not to say that I like you is not thankful for all he has done for us but bear in mind it is not a gift but rather a loan with a very high intest rate.    Also, is worth noting that the biggest beneficiary in this whole deal is Dart,  he has  just  moved our main highway right to his front door as the saying goes. So that is properties is now more accessible – so you go figure if this is deal-or-no deal.  

  17. Anonymous says:

    What time does it open?

  18. sickntired says:

    Great News can't wait to take this road to wllie farrington drive and get home quicker.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Well done Mac…..  VERY PROGRESSIVE!! Such a shame the rest of the UDP PARTY didnt stay the course. This road was long planned as a part of the MGTP and now the greater part of WB can be accessed with ease.  I hope Kurt  now works as diligently to connect Beach Bay  with Pedro  and Savannah Newlands with Northward. 

  20. Anonymous says:

    Hurrah!  The "activists" can boycott it if they want.  Bet they don't.

    • Anonymous says:

      You have no idea what you are talking about. The activists have no problem with the new road. 

      • Anonymous says:

        It's all connected.  Dart wouldn't have built the road had the government not exchanged the short stretch of road to enable a beachfront hotel.    You can't on the one hand hail the benefits of the new road, and yet want West Bay Road to be rebuilt and restored.   You wouldn't have gotten the brand new roads without the exchange.   You are being illogical.   

        Would you prefer the deal to be scrapped, you have your beach road again, and then pay 30 million for the roadworks?  (Or just move on already, and let Dart complete the new beach park and get construction going?).    You can't have your cake and eat it too.  (You see how we'll that worked with stinky Mt Trashmore when a viable solution was quashed).

         

         

      • Anonymous says:

        Sure they have no problem with the road they just want it for nithing in return..

        • Anonymous says:

          9:33, your intellect about as strong as your spelling skills. If you are stupid enough to think that this was done for nothing then your head is really an empty jar.

      • Anonymous says:

        Except the ones trying to block it at every turn, which was all the badly dressed ones protesting at the side of the road.

  21. Anonymous says:

    thank you dart….cayman is lucky to have somebody who will build roads for them….roads that cayman cannot afford to build themselves……

    • Anonymous says:

      Cayman is paying for these roads. They are not a gift, we will pay in reduced income to our Government over several decades. Especially if we are responsible for the maintenance of all the plants. The road is very nice but it isn't free. 

      • Anonymous says:

        Played 6 and 36 today. Six days till the first minor crash, 36 days till the first major one. 

      • Anonymous says:

        You're right it's not free, nothing is but you people would only happy if you get something for nothing..Well my freinds nothing in this world is free. If yiu want these thing o be done witout outside help and deals like the be prepared to pay income and property tax or be willing to make the needed cutbacks to finance the things you need and want.

      • Anonymous says:

        Well, it didn't cost Cayman any actual cash.

      • Anonymous says:

        No it isn't free but we would not have had it without Dart building it. 

    • R. U. Kidden says:

      Mr. Dart got far more out of it than we ever will!

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes thank you Mr. Dart for building the highway.

      I remember not too long ago when developers and investors like yourself were more than welcome to these Islands by Caymanians to put their  money on the ground.

      Now we have become so damn hypocritical, selfish and hateful. so sad!

      I must say this, you will have to live to the age of Matusalem to see any profit on the billions you have put on the ground in the Cayman Islands.

  22. Anonymous says:

    yeayyy….. it nice to see something actually acheived around here….thank you dart!

  23. Anonymous says:

    Please drive carefully and obey the speed limit – don't make it another race track!! Some thoughtful drivers will be on this road so have some respect!  Thank you.

    • Anonymous says:

      …….and drive on the outside (left) lane UNLESS you are turning right at the next roundabout!

    • Anonymous says:

      and stay on left side of road as it by law. only use right lane for over taking NOT road hogging.

  24. I Observe... says:

    I didn't like the way the deal was made. 

    But I like the new highway. Now open back up the other route [similar to Old Prospect Rd, even though it doesn't come out in front of Red Bay anymore] so that if people wanted to they could drive that way. 

    Please widen the stretch at Camana Bay. It's a bottle neck. Very inconvenient! That's all! We'd be fine after that 🙂 I think!

  25. Hammock says:

    So will the Police be out in force to stop the speed racers and also the dangerous, inconsiderate drivers that make the commute a life or death experience.

    • Anonymous says:

      I was thinking the same thing.  Wonder how long before the first car flies off the roundabout.    I expect this will become a super speedway.   Baffled as to why police dont set up radar traps as 80% of cars seem to want to speed. 

      • Anonymous says:

        Police don't have enough man power, lost the dedicated traffic department, can definitely notice the difference in police presence. I agree, I live right off the new extension, and have been so happy with the quiet am afraid it may over.

      • Anonymous says:

        Please contact me directly at booky at gov.ky as I am running a book (good odds) on how long before first moron leaves road, fastest time from WB to Camana Bay, fastest time round roundabout (either direction), longest jump over bridge, furthest distance travelled in outside (right hand) lane, longesst wheelie (bike or car), when first idiot uses hazard lights along new section whilst moving, first U turn, first three point turn (more attempts accepted). All other bets considered.

    • Anonymous says:

      When have you seen the police out in force anywhere recently? It's even worse since dunkin donuts shut!

    • Anonymous says:

      Technically the new road is still private property so the police cannot do anything about speeders except maybe to ask them nicely to slow down. Until it is gazetted there is no legal speed limit!

  26. Thankful says:

    Only Dart’s road? Not Cayman’s road, or West Bay’s road? Hmmm.

    • Anonymous says:

      It is Dart's road; and every day it becomes more and more Dart's country.  I am really surprised more people do not realize that.

      • Anonymous says:

        People, as a rule, are pretty much driven by their love…. of candy. 

      • Anonymous says:

        Better that then what it is now.  I am surprised you don't realize that!  Oh wait!  If Dart takes over then no more handouts.  You would have to work for a living just like the expats.  Now I see why you like Dart.

    • Jonas Dwyer says:

      Comrades we should be wiling to give the GOvernment some time to get theirs ducks in a row. Negotiations are exactly what they are negotiations. If they rush it well complain and if there is settlement that does not suit our individual mind set we complain, so I say for a wnile just shut the traps.

    • Anonymous says:

      Are ************** these roads gazetted, and legally authorised to travel on by Law???????

    • Anon says:

      Yes, Dart's road indeed.

      And yes, Mac should cut the ribbon and take full responsibility for this massive misuse of power.

      Dart claims the entire road is worth well of 30 million. Look at the extension from Indies Suites to Yacht Drive and just imagine how much CIG had to pay/trade for the "bridge" which the Caymanian people didnt need….but DART DID!

      Look at the two prongs that fork off from the new section which is about to be opened. Totally unnecessary and expensive to build two roads in this manor but this was required by DART at the expense of the Caymanian people.

      And now DART wants to cut down the trees on our Public Beach which is not even his land!

      Of course the Compass wont carry details of that protest in their paper as we all know that has also changed ownership…..

      So yes, its Dart's Road, that the Cayman people paid for and will continue to pay for.

      No matter what people say, this road and hotel was not worth trading our Public Beach Road.

      • Anonymous says:

        I agree with you 100% 16:50. Despite the thumbs down being the majority response, you are spot on with your comments and I thank you for posting.

    • Anonymously says:

      Why is this  "Dart Road"?  Has this been named, or is it just that the beach the road and just about everything that Dart touches seems to be owned by him to,build up, tear down or do whatever pleases him.  Can anyone confirm that he ordered that the stately and much admired weeping Willo trees on the west bay public beach be torn down so he can plant what hethinks should be there.

      • Salix Babylonica says:

        Weeping willow? Ill bet you a million dollars of Mr. Darts money that you can't find me a weeping willow tree in Cayman. 

  27. The lone haranguer rides again! says:

    We really need to follow thru with the deal with Dart because we made a deal, maybe this crowd can do better on the next deal.

    PS: We also need to close that stinking George Town dump.

    • Anonymous says:

      Closing the dump will not stop it from smelling.

      • Anonymous says:

        No but closing the dump will be the first step in fixing the dump situation and hopefully moving the Cayman Islands forward to a more modern facility that does not damage the enviroment and is not a shame by its citizens to exist in the first place.

  28. Anonymous says:

    whoopee

  29. Anonymous says:

    one small step for man….one giant leap for caymankind……

  30. Anonymous says:

    I do hope that they allow Mac to assist with cutting this ribbon. It is the righteous thing to do. Say what we want, but this is the closest to the reality of the once herald master ground transportation plan that we still are waiting for. This might not have been the vision of everybody, but it is the start that we been waiting for, for years! So credit given where credit due.

  31. Anonymous says:

    Great news! Thank you Mr Dart and thank YOU Mr Bush!
    Although I wasn’t for the new change. I must admit this road is a benefit. If nothing more than a later wake up time? It is appreciated! Well done.
    However, keep the beach side road open for the scenic and the timid drivers to enjoy. It would squash alot of unnecessary ill-will and arguments and prevent accidents.
    Highways shou,d be a choice.

    • Anonymous says:

      No beachside road.  Hotel plus the new beach park with bike trails etc.  Government needs to gazette the remaining road closure so Dart can complete the beach park (the plans for it look awesome).    Enjoy the new road West Bay.  Your property values have all ticked up a notch. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes but at what cost to Cayman?

      • Anonymous says:

        Costs the government nothing.   Pretty good deal for Cayman.  Movement of a small portion of a road and in exchange, get a major infrastructure improvement.   And a new beach park and bike and walking trails.    And it cost the government no cash outflow.   

        • Anonymous says:

          Ummm…it costs govt. revenue from the concessions that not only Dart is getting but also every other investor will now demand.

    • Anonymous says:

      Credit? Or cash?

  32. Anonymous says:

    About time!! Thanks to snail slow government

  33. Anonymous says:

    Whee!

  34. Anonymous says:

    Finally!

  35. Anonymous says:

    BOYCOTT the new road.

    • Anonymous says:

      Go ahead, PLEASE! Boycott the whole new road and stay the …. In West Bay!!!

      • Anonymous says:

        Umm….I think he was kidding and being sarcastic……

      • Anonymous says:

        i don't know of anyone that is against the new dart highway.  Long term plans have called for the road.  it is the closure of West Bay Road we are against.  That nd the selling out of the country to Dart's money.

    • Anonymous says:

      Boycot it yourself. All the whinging whiners on here will be the first to use it and in three months they will all be saying how great it is. 

  36. Baya4Life says:

    How dare those Dart people make our commute less time consuming and allow us more time each morning and evening to spend with our families? No suh, I know I not going on their fancy road, I going swim through the dykes to get to work.