Port Authority Accepts Bid For Federally Funded Aircraft Rescue And Fire Fighting Building At Rohlsen Airport

ST. CROIX — Virgin Islands Port Authority board members on Wednesday morning accepted a bid by St. Thomas-based company AT Construction Solutions, LLC to construct an aircraft rescue and fire fighting building at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport here.

The funds’ availability was announced by Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett in June, and saw VIPA Director of Engineering Bill Gregory conveying enthusiasm for the grant, stating that the authority was looking forward to moving ahead with construction.

“This is only a portion of what we asked for but we are elated to be moving forward with constructing the new facility,” said Gregory.

The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation, will see Port Authority covering 17 percent of costs — $1.2 million — while USDOT cover the remaining 87 percent. This model is not rare, however, as funding provided by USDOT for what airport officials dubbed the Apron Rehab project, saw VIPA footing 10 percent of the bill — funded through the agency’s fiscal year 2015 budget — while the remaining 90 percent was provided USDOT.

“This funding will no doubt augment the fire and rescue operations of the Virgin Islands Port Authority at Henry Rohlsen Airport and allow them to better respond to any potential emergencies on or around the airfield,” Plaskett said in June. “I am certain this is a welcomed resource to the men and women of the VIPA Airport Fire Division.”