After being delayed because of many land-related issues which had to be resolved, the Cayman Islands' brand new corridor the ...
Pierson Highway Opens
Leader of Government Business, the Hon. McKeeva Bush says naming the Cayman Islands' newest highway after the Hon. Linford Pierson is acknowledgement of his contributions to road and infrastructure development over the years.
(l-r)Governor Mr. Bruce Dinwiddy shares a light moment with Leader of Government Business the Hon. McKeeva Bush and Minister of Public Works the Hon. Linford Pierson who the new highway was named after.
Addressing the official opening of the Linford Pierson Highway on Wednesday December 18, 2002, Mr. Bush said: "I am not one who promotes honouring people for their contribution after they have passed and they don't know anything about it."
The Hon. Linford Pierson, Minister for Public Works, delivers a vote of thanks.
Mr. Bush added: "This important road has been four years in development and three former ministers responsible for works have been involved in the process.
" However, it was under Mr. Pierson that plan modifications were made after the difficult impasse developed and that construction was completed and the opening of the road for public use was made possible."
The Hon. McKeeva Bush delivers the main address at the opening of the Linford Pierson Highway.
Students from George Town Primary School were on hand to present bouquets during the ceremony. In photo also is Principal, Ms. Marie Martin.
Landowners who made it possible for government to complete the highway took time to have their photograph taken with an officer of the Cayman Islands Fire Service. They are (l-r) Mr. Bob and Mrs. Betty Thompson with their son Bobby and his wife Janet along with grandchildren Cathleen and Brandon.
Mrs. Sharon Pierson, wife of the Hon. Linford Pierson, receives a bouquet from a George Town Primary School student.
Mrs. Christiane McField, wife of the Dr. the Hon. Frank McField, is also given a bouquet from a GT Primary student.
Officers from fire and rescue and the Royal Cayman Islands Police were on hand for the event.
Mr. Pierson is the Minister of Planning, Communications, Works and Information Technology and the deputy leader of Government Business.
Mr. Bush noted that alleviating traffic congestion has not been an easy task by any means and the road engineers at the Public Works Department have been challenged over the years to create solutions.
"But we have all witnessed the significant
progress that has been achieved in recent years," he said,
noting that the western peninsula has benefited from the creation
of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway.
That other major highway was opened on December 23, 1997, almost
five years ago to the day.
At 1.5 miles long, the Linford Pierson Highway is a little shorter than the Esterley Tibbetts Highway which is 1.9 miles long.
"These days, much focus is being placed on the finalisation and implementation of the National Roads Plan. This is a comprehensive roads development plan designed by the Public Works Department's road engineers and the Linfod Pierson and Esterley Tibbetts Highways are both part of this national plan," he added.
It was noted that the Linford Pierson Highway was completed on time and on budget.
Special mention was made of landowners Mr. Robert "Bob" Thompson and his family, who owned land close to the highway and whose cooperation facilitated the project.
Mr. Bush also thanked the Public Works staff, from concept to engineering to construction, for the fine job they did in contributing to the road project.
He also took the opportunity to highlight some of the many projects in which Mr. Pierson played a key role.
In his remarks, Mr. Pierson said: "Although the construction of the first phase of the highway, which started back in early 1999, is just now being completed due to the many land-related issues which had to be resolved, I am hopeful that the second phase of this highway will be completed within a much shorter time frame."
He said that Phase Two of the highway will extend the much-needed highway to Walkers Road and will include another roundabout near the Community College.
Mr. Pierson also thanked various people for the "invaluable assistance" which they offered to the road project.