Road Repair Contracts Approved For Pilgrims Terrace, Estate Diamond

Governor Kenneth Mapp approved four more road repairs contracts on Friday, soon bringing relief to residents who utilize Pilgrims Terrace Bypass, Estate Work and Rest Route 622, West Airport Road Route 64 at Estate Diamond and Hermon Hill Road in Christiansted, Government House has announced. The Department of Public Works reports that there are more than 20 active road improvement projects now underway in the territory, according to the release.

Emergency repairs at Pilgrims Terrace Bypass on St. Thomas include temporary traffic control, roadway excavation, reinforced retaining walls, reinforced concrete swale and new guardrails. At Route 64 West Airport Road, Estate Diamond, repairs are full depth reclamation with cement, 2-inch asphalt concrete pavement, road milling and thermoplastic direction marking, the release said. Those traversing Estate Work & Rest can expect 3-inch asphalt concrete pavement and thermoplastic pavement marking; and Herman Hill Road is slated for two-inch asphalt paving and road reconditioning.

D.P.W. has identified 940 miles of the 1,273 miles of Virgin Islands roadway to be rebuilt to Federal Highway standards with proper foundations, drainage, provisions for buried utilities and outfitted with ADA compliant sidewalks, reflectors, traffic signals, and crosswalks.

According to Government House, Mr. Mapp indicated that more than $530 million has already been identified for the first phase of overhauling the majority of the territory’s roads.

Also signed on Friday was a $130,000 contract to demolish the stadium stand and other damaged structures at the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix. The demolition will help make way for VIGL’s $30 million investment in the racetracks on both St. Thomas and St. Croix. The new track facilities, now in the permitting stage, will make the Virgin Islands the region’s premier destination for horseracing, while creating many new opportunities for young people interested in careers related to horses, racing and veterinary science.