Neville James Lauds Funding For Road Repairs On St. Croix

ST. CROIX — Senate President Neville James said via press release on Saturday that he was pleased residential roads throughout this island were being repaired and paved thanks to a $4 million investment authorized by Act #7897, which created funding for several capital projects here.

The Act is financed by The St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund, through an annual $2 million appropriation from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund, which is a rum cover-over beneficiary, according to the release. The measure, which was recently signed into law by Governor Kenneth Mapp, came to fruition thanks to an amendment which was moved/sponsored by Senator Kurt Vialet, and sponsored by all of the St. Croix senators.

“This brings some much-needed relief to my fellow Crucian residents, and reassures our constituents that we are dedicated to reinvesting in our infrastructure, and in turn betting on the future economic success of St. Croix,” Mr. James said. “When the everyday livelihood of the people is improved, and that includes our day to day commutes, then the island as a whole improves socially and economically.”

Mr. James said he recently spoke with Public Works Commissioner Gustav James, who was grateful that the funds are targeted for residential neighborhood road repairs and looks forward to addressing those issues.

“I commend Public Works for working so diligently on strengthening our infrastructure. I am happy to see that most of the roads in Estate Jealousy, extending the Midland Road into Estate Upper Love, have been paved,” the veteran senator said. “I look forward to the federally funded GARVEE bond road projects making progress as well.”

Along with the repair of roads through St. Croix neighborhoods, Act #7897 also allows the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund to financially support other projects to include a new assisted living facility, a new video uplink truck for the Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System, monies to help relocate the Gallows Bay cargo port to South Shore, and funding to pay the first quarter tipping fees to the Waste Management Authority, according to the release.

“The people of St. Croix deserve a society which allows them to live and work safely, and the deterioration of our roads has been a constant threat to that. I applaud my colleagues in the Senate and the governor for addressing this issue and finding a solution so swiftly. Act #7897 is one more stepping stone to the social and economic revival of St. Croix,” Mr. James concluded.