The first phase of the East-West Arterial extension from Hirst Road to Agricola Drive will open to motorists during Wednesday’s Cayman Islands Agriculture Show, marking the first step in a larger road expansion intended to stretch eastward.
The National Roads Authority said the road would be open for eastbound traffic as an option to avoid congestion on Shamrock Road, but advised drivers to use caution, as the new bypass road remains an active construction zone with a temporary road surface.
“Traffic will be heavy and the road layout along Shamrock Road will be adjusted to accommodate the traffic for the Agriculture Show; so please watch out for traffic diversions and read the signs carefully as you navigate the area,” the NRA said in a press release.
Cayman Compass contacted officials to clarify if the road opening would be permanent or temporary to accommodate Agriculture Show traffic.
The expanse of road from Hirst Road to east of Woodland Drive was the first construction phase of the East-West Arterial project, which remains a source of debate and faces a long timeline to see the proposal through to completion.
The Hirst Road to Woodland Drive stretch did not require an environmental impact assessment and was able to advance before other proposed phases of the contentious project.
The second stretch of construction, which is currently the subject of an environmental impact assessment, runs from Woodland Drive to Lookout Gardens, and the third from Lookout Gardens to Frank Sound Road.
The Agriculture Show, held every year on Ash Wednesday, which is a public holiday in Cayman, usually draws up to 10,000 visitors from across the island, often leading to gridlock on the roads.
Gates open at 7am, and close at 6pm, for the 56th annual show, which will be held at the Stacey Watler Pavilion on Agricola Drive in Lower Valley.
A park and ride service will be available from four locations throughout the day, where drivers can park their cars and take a shuttle bus to the showgrounds. Those shuttle buses can be found at Bodden Town Primary School; Savannah Playfield/Cayman Islands Baptist Church; Savannah Adventist Church/Savannah Primary School; and Prospect Primary School.
Organisers say each location has its own dedicated bus, which will drive directly to the grounds, with no stopping along the way.
The official opening ceremony for this year’s show, which is themed ‘Food Security – Everybody’s Business’, is scheduled for 10am.
The show will feature farm-related vendors, livestock, plant and produce exhibitions, demonstrations and competitions, sales booths, local food and drinks, musical entertainment, kids activities and a play zone, and the annual show raffle.
The general entry fee is $10 for adults and $5 for children, or $25 for entry plus a raffle ticket.
