The Government’s promise to complete the new Esterly Tibbetts Highway, up to the Indies Suites, by 30 June 2006, will be broken because the Ritz-Carlton has not lived up to its contractual end of the bargain in relation to the project.

Speaking on 24 May 2006 in a Finance Committee meeting, Minister of Communications, Works and Infrastructure, Hon Arden McLean, announced the Government’s inability to meet the promised deadline.

“The Ministry had difficulties with the section of the highway through the Ritz Development due to delays on the part of the developer,” said the Minister.

The problem reportedly surrounds the construction of a bridge over a canal without which the road cannot be finished. The Minister said that Michael Ryan, the developer of the Ritz- Carlton Grand Cayman had informed him that there were problems with engineers and no other details were offered to explain the latest delay.

Completing this road had become one of the Government’s flagship projects in order to relieve the increasingly serous gridlock along the West Bay Road.

The details of the arrangements surrounding the Ritz-Carlton were legalised under the former United Democratic Party (UDP) Government administration – a deal around which there has been a considerable amount of criticism.

Mr McLean acknowledged he could do nothing but accept the fact there would now be a delay.
“I have no excuses, except to say that we’re going to be delayed, ” adding however that firm demands had been made of Mr Ryan.

The Minister said he had rejected proposals, which Mr Ryan had made, in relation to new completion deadlines for his part of the project.

 “I wrote to Mr Ryan. While he proposed two temporary lanes by 30 June 2006 we were not comfortable with people driving under those conditions. We had safety concerns,” he said.

“I have therefore written to this gentleman to say that the Government does not accept the proposal for August.”

Mr McLean said he had a “confirmed date of 31 July 2006.”

Bu the Minister said he had no real confidence in the date agreed.

“I am not convinced, but I think everyone deserves one more chance,” he said.

“The West Bay (Esterly Tibbetts) Highway will be finished up to Indies Suites by the 31 July.”

Backbencher, George Town MLA, Alfonso Wright also demonstrated that he doubted the timeline given.

He asked if the bridge to be built at the Ritz-Carlton would be for “through traffic” and asked for some details.

Mr McLean said that the bridge would be 13 feet in the air, would traverse a canal and would accommodate regular traffic.

“Is that to be completed by the end of July?” asked Mr Wright.

Mr McLean said yes although Mr Wright made it clear he doubted it.

Osbourne Bodden, MLA For Bodden Town, asked if the bridge would be Government property, even though it was built by the Ritz and Mr McLean said it would.

“Who in the NRA (National Roads Authority) and Planning will sign off on the bridge?” asked Edna Moyle North Side MLA and Speaker of the House.

“Does the NRA have an engineer that specialises in bridges and who will carry out maintenance on the bridge?”

Mr McLean said the Government would ensure that appropriate personnel sign-off on what is built.

However, Mr McLean also revealed that the contract in place with the Ritz-Carlton “does not stipulate maintenance.”