OH the Relative Solitude of the East End
Deputy Chief Engineer for Roads, reports
Congested traffic on the roads of Grand Cayman continues to create difficulties for residents and tourists alike, and the problem is likely to get worse before it gets better.
While most of the tie-ups occur during the peak, "rush hour" time periods, areas like George Town and West Bay Road are experiencing heavy volumes of traffic just about all the time during daylight hours.
In response to the growing problem, the Public Works Department started working on the National Road Plan (NRP) earlier this year. However, with several large new developments scheduled for completion over the next twelve months, demands on Cayman's road system will increase dramatically before any aspect of the NRP is implemented.
Other contributing factors include a population that doubled over the past 20 years, creating a higher demand for vehicles, and a thriving local economy that has enabled more and more people to afford vehicles.
The problem with traffic along West Bay Road is much more severe. As the only thoroughfare for Seven Mile Beach and West Bay residents to get to George Town, the slow-moving traffic irritates nearly everyone who lives in those areas.
A senior consultant for Deloitte & Touche, travels West Bay Road every morning on his way to work. He says his driving time has doubled over the past two years. "It's affecting the quality of our lives," he says, "We never used to have road rage here."