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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesDPW Transportation Master Plan Takes Baby Steps

DPW Transportation Master Plan Takes Baby Steps

Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls (left) and Jason Budsan of E.A.S.T. at the Saturday meeting.Despite difficulty tracking physical addresses of residents who completed transportation surveys, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works has nonetheless completed gathering data and is ready to move on to the next phase of its 2030 Comprehensive Transportation Master Plan.

Members of the Environmental Association of St. Thomas-St. John had few questions and lots of applause at Emerald Beach Saturday morning for Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls after he presented the transportation plan.

Data that DPW has collected from surveys completed by both visitors to the territories and permanent residents, along with traffic counts — garnered from the black hoses seen in the roads earlier this year – has helped to confirm that the territory’s road conditions are deteriorating and congestion is increasing.

According to Smalls, the traffic counts show that the St. Thomas waterfront has approximately 28,000 more vehicle trips per day than it is designed to carry. The traffic counts were not conducted during the height of tourist season but most were done on days when there were two or three ships in the harbor.

Based on studies of transportation systems on other Caribbean islands such as Bermuda, Smalls informed E.A.S.T. members that his department is considering putting in loops, or “roundabouts," and developing a marine transportation system.

Public Works has been approved for $5 million in federal grant money to purchase two brand new vessels that will be leased to the ferry companies operating the St. Thomas – St. John route. Smalls said that although the ferry companies’ maintenance costs will be lower with the addition of the new boats, it will not affect the recent increase in ferry rates.

Adhering to their goal of getting input from all areas of the community, Public Works met with the Historic Preservation Commission to map out historical and archeological sites in order to ensure that those sites are protected. Emission levels and their impact on air quality are being taken into consideration.

Public Works has also held talks with the territory’s road companies about incorporating recycled glass and tires into the road building process, but according to Smalls, the territory does not have enough glass to make it financially feasible for the companies. He said the road companies might consider it if a private entity crushed the glass.

The next step in the transportation plan is a workshop to be held on all three islands regarding the prioritization of future transportation projects. A citizens advisory group will meet with the transportation committee to give input on transportation priorities and learn how much funding will be required for the projects.

The citizens advisory group includes representatives from Lovenlund Housing, Patriot Manor, the Bovoni Homeowner’s Association, E.A.S.T., the St. Croix Environmental Association, the disabled community, Red Hook Community Alliance, Coral Bay Community Council, St. John Unity Day Group, Frederksted Economic Development Association, Christiansted Restaurant and Retailers Association, Grove Place Action Committee, Organization of Native Virgin Islanders, and Mon Bijou Homeowner’s Association.

The workshops are scheduled for Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Legislature Conference Room on St. Croix, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Palms Court Harborview on St. Thomas and Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Public Works Conference Facility on St. John. Members of the community are welcome to attend and observe the process but may not participate.

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