By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

SKYLINE Drive will be permanently closed to traffic on Sunday, making room for the expansion of the golf course that currently runs on either side of Prospect Ridge.

Senior Vice-President of Government and External Affairs at Baha Mar, Robert “Sandy”

Sands said the closure, which takes effect July 15, will not only allow for the creation of three new sub divisions but it will also increase property value in the area.

“The road will transform into two cul-de-sacs and traffic will be re-routed along the new Corridor 7, which is the two-lane road linking John F Kennedy Drive to West Bay Street.”

The closure will create three new gated communities: Skyline Lakes, Lake Cunningham Estates and the remaining properties.

“This closure will also create opportunities for safety,” said Mr Sands, adding: “There will be no through traffic and no rush hour traffic. No matter where you live in that area, you will only increase your driving time by no more than three-and-a-half minutes,” he said.

“Skyline Lakes used to act as a thoroughfare to get to Lake Cunningham Estates, now Skyline Lakes becomes exclusive. In fact since we started this work, that area has become an exclusive gated community for Skyline Lakes because only persons who live in that area or have business there will go there.

“This residents will have a prettier landscape, a safe gated community and their property values will also increase. That’s number one. The second thing is that the golf course will now come up on either side of that highway. So a number of houses around Skyline Lakes will have a golf course as a backdrop. Lake Cunningham Estates also will now have their own entrance at the exit of the new corridor 7.”

Mr Sands said Corridor 7 will be opened only for Lake Cunningham residents on July 15 but the entire road is expected to be opened by the end of September or the beginning of October.