Government House briefings returned Monday after a monthlong hiatus.
After acknowledging the start of U.S. Black History Month — and its particular significance to the history of the Virgin Islands — Government House Communications Director Richard Motta Jr. said Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Public Works Department officials celebrated the reopening of the “new and improved” East Airport Road Bridge Monday morning on St. Croix.
Motta noted that the bridge was one of several ongoing efforts to repair St. Croix roads. Other projects include enhancements to the East and West Airport roads leading to Rohlsen Airport, the Route 669 bridge near the Agricultural Fairgrounds and the rehabilitation of Ethel McIntosh Memorial Drive, also known as Mahogany Road.
The Mahogany Road contract was awarded to Marco St. Croix, Motta said and will entail resurfacing, drainage enhancements, and structural reinforcements. The project is funded through $17.75 million in GARVEE bonds.
“And I am pleased to note today that the notice to proceed has been met, and so the contractor can officially begin on that project,” Motta said.
The territory has also signed a letter of intent with TJ Ocean Auto and Metro Motors to expand Virgin Islanders’ access to electric vehicles, or EVs, and develop local service facilities.
Bryan said during his seventh State of Territory Address last week that the territory has installed eight free charging stations and has plans to install 26 more by this summer, adding that his administration and the V.I. Energy Office have secured $150 million in grants that will be used to “subsidize battery and solar systems, erect power charging stations for cars and replace old and inefficient appliances.”
A new system that will allow Virgin Islanders to electronically file their 2024 individual income tax returns was also announced.
Motta said the V.I. Internal Revenue Bureau launched an online tax filing portal called VI Quick File, “designed to make tax filing easier, faster and more convenient.”
“This latest effort follows other successful digitalization initiatives — most notably at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, where Virgin Islanders can now register their vehicles online as well as access other services,” Motta said.
Taxpayers will also be able to use the online system to submit their Form 4868 to request automatic extensions to their tax filing. To register for VI Quick File, residents can request a PIN number by emailing oit_register@irb.gov.vi and complete their registration by visiting https://income-tax.bir.vi.gov.
Monday’s briefing was sparsely attended, and the Source did not receive notice of it in advance. Though weekly briefings typically take place each Monday at 1 p.m., Government House customarily sends out notices to confirm the time and location, giving members of the media an opportunity to attend in person.
The sole reporter in attendance asked Motta questions about reported raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, local ramifications of an attempted federal funding freeze by the Trump administration and the U.S. Virgin Islands’ lobbying efforts in Washington D.C. Bryan addressed those subjects during a sit-down interview with the Source last week.
