What happened to the trees?
All the trees at the roundabout in front of King’s Sports Centre and First Assembly of God are being cut down! And for what purpose, as hot as Cayman is?
Auntie’s answer: While I definitely do not like to see any trees cut down, there is no need to panic. An official with the National Roads Authority (NRA) explained that the roundabout in question is in the midst of a landscaping project, which will once again include trees when it is finished.
Over the years, the NRA has contracted with various companies to design and then maintain the roundabouts, such as the Butterfield and CNB ones in town, the Island Heritage and KRyS Global on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, and the Dr Tomlinson on the East West Arterial.
All of these contracts are made under the NRA’s roundabout landscape amenity programme, where companies bid to take on the design and then the upkeep of the area, as well as name the roundabout. The contracts are signed for five years, with the companies usually renewing since they have put so much effort into the landscaping.
As for the treeless roundabout by King’s, the new look might be completed by the middle of the year, and then all will be revealed. For now the details are being kept under wraps, which means all I can tell you is there will be trees.
By the way, the NRA official said that the two roundabouts on the Linford Pierson Highway have “generated a lot of interest” from companies who want to make them their own, with the authority still accepting bids. Plus there are several more junctions and roundabouts heading east that are yet to be sponsored.
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Category: Ask Auntie, Misc Questions
The TV screens by Hurley’s roundabout (was that really ever a good idea) have been broken for years now, and it is looking kind of overgrown. Hopefully someone else takes that one over soon.
Seeing as “everyone” seems to use that roundabout as a parking lot whenever there’s a big event, I’m surprised that anyone’s complaining…
I too was horrified to see the trees cut down. Couldn’t the design have incorporated the existing mature trees? Such a waste. I hope the remaining ones on the little triangle by the roundabout are staying.
Or at least wait to cut them down until you are ready to begin the new build…