May 6, 2002 – Improvements are in the wind for the intersection of Centerline Road and Route 104 — the "V" at the Texaco gas station in Cruz Bay.
A government official who requested anonymity said that the government is considering several options to improve traffic flow at the area. The plan with the most support involves constructing a road circle, also called a roundabout, at the intersection. This would allow the big trucks that have the most difficulty making the turn from Centerline onto Route 104 to flow into the intersection rather than having to back and fill to make the turn.
Traffic congestion, already a chronic problem, is expected to increase when the long-awaited Enighed Pond commercial port opens. Construction work on that project is expected to start this year.
To make way for the circle, the Texaco station, the bandstand at the eastern end of the Winston Wells Ballfield, and some of the Clarice Thomas Annex's front yard will have to be removed. The annex houses the lower grades of Julius E. Sprauve School.
Another option is to connect the road that passes between the fire station and the Motor Vehicle Bureau facility to the Boulon Center Road by going directly through the Texaco station. This would cut off the "V" part of the gas station's property, which would make it impossible for the station to stay in business.
The government official said a third option is to do nothing, which would not solve any traffic problems.
The official said the plan is the result of a traffic study done about eight months ago. The official expects public hearings on the subject to be held in late July.
The improvement will be funded by the Federal Highway Administration because all of the roads in question, including the one that runs from Enighed Pond to the intersection, are federal arteries. Improvements to the Enighed Pond road, which is officially Route 105, will be necessary to facilitate traffic to the commercial port and are to be undertaken this year.
No one could be reached at the FHA office for comment.
Robert O'Connor Jr., who owns the Texaco station but not the property on which it stands, said he would be willing to move his gas station to another location. "I know something has to happen for the good of the community," he said. However, he said Texaco would have to be compensated for the property.
Raymond Samuels, general manager of Texaco Caribbean, said that while he had heard rumors about the traffic-flow improvement project, he had not received word from any officials. Therefore, he said he would not comment on the matter.
The government official said that if a property owner should be unwilling to cooperate, the government can condemn the property. In such a case, the owner would receive the current market value for the property.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
