'We planned to start these works weeks ago'- Hon Rymer on road works
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While residents have been calling for better roads, the various road closures and diversion of traffic due to the works have created a nightmare for traffic, especially during rush hour.
Traffic has been backed up for miles on Sir Francis Drake's Highway, Ridge Road, Road Town and on some secondary roads across the island in the mornings.
At around 9:26 AM this morning, November 20, 2024, traffic was still backed up from Boys Gas Station in Sea Cows Bay all the way to Henry Wilfred 'Freddie' Smith Power Station in Pockwood Pond. Some motorists have complained on social media about being stuck in traffic for close to two hours.
Others have complained about the frequent road works occurring at the start of the tourist season and rainy season.
Start to road works were delayed- Hon Rymer
Honourable Rymer, in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on November 19, 2024, reassured the public that his ministry is moving forward with vital road works to enhance the Virgin Islands road infrastructure.
The Works Minister said that there are several forthcoming road works and closures throughout the Territory aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of the Territory’s roadways.
"Although we planned to start these works weeks ago, we faced several delays due to weather conditions and flooding.”
Road works
The following is the list of upcoming or ongoing works:
1. Road Closure - Paraquita Bay to Hodges Creek Road Project:
Effective November 19 the road will be closed until further notice to facilitate trenching works for electrical conduits and water line installations.
2. Road Closure - Lower Windy Hill Retaining Wall Project:
The road will remain closed until further notice to allow for the construction of a retaining wall at the final corner leading into Carrot Bay. Access will still be available up to that corner, including access to the Bananakeet Restaurant.
3. Road Closure Update - Ridge Road Works:
Road construction is ongoing along Ridge Road, extending from the intersection of Great Mountain to Fahie Hill. The current phase of works focusses on repairing a main line. Following this, concrete works are scheduled to take place from from November 21 to November 25.
4. Upcoming Road Works - East End Community Centre:
Road works are expected to commence from November 20 to November 27 in the vicinity of the East End Community Centre. Traffic will be diverted to Greenland Road via the roadway near Francis Lettsome Primary School.
5. Ongoing Road Works - Sea Cow's Bay Area:
Partial lane closures and diversions will occur in the vicinity of Boy's Gas Station, Sea Cow's Bay, for concrete works until November 25.
Additionally, road works will commence on November 19 in the vicinity of Roy Smith, Sea Cow's Bay, lasting until November 26, and on November 20 near Sea Cow's Bay Community Center until November 27.
6. Manchester Area Road Works:
Starting on November 20, road works are anticipated in the Manchester area near the small lookout leading to Michael Potter's residence. Initial heavy equipment operations will be followed by road demolition works.
The Ministry of Communications and Works says it remains dedicated to improving the infrastructure of the Virgin Islands through strategic planning and execution of essential projects.
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51 Responses to “'We planned to start these works weeks ago'- Hon Rymer on road works”
No.
We're complaining because the Hon. Minister has jammed up ALL the East-West routes on the island at once.
We're complaining because the Hon. Minister can't figure out that his crews should be working under the lights at night instead of during the busy daytime hours.
We're complaining about ineptitude. Don't forget, the Hon. Minister has had 5 years to deal with the roads, with zero happening until now.
Seriously
Do it at night,road block both way body
You are ridiculous
Its the same when it rain, the complaint is, strupes, it raining today....then when its not raining, the complaint is, the place parched and the sun hot. Where is the gratitude, and the posture of, thank you Lord for another day...give me the grace i need to make it through the day...whatever comes, i will give you Praise, as long as i have breath.
Number one, our government is responsible for our infrastructure being in tact. Therefore, we have the right to voice our opinion when the whole country is in shambles.
Number two, when funds are finally available, common sense must come into play to have repairs done in phases. How the heck you’re going to start working on all the major roads at the same time?? Does that make sense??
So, YES! We must complain because someone isn’t using their common sense. Make it make sense!!
Further, much road surfacing is being done. The question is an overlay the required fix given the condition of the road. Should the work be reconstruction/rehabilitation vice overlay? If the road is in a failed condition, an overlay is just a temporary fix.
Moreover, we moan and yearn for more services yet show a disdain to pay a little more in taxes or fees to deliver more services. Yes, government must demonstrate more effective budget efficiency to deliver the most/better services to the most people.
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Total nonsense , incompetent waste of time and tax payers money.
Will you never learn?
MAKES NO SENSE.
The roads has been bad specially on Seacows bay for a long time now. They decided to scraped them and then announced that the asphalt machine has broken down.
Every little rain, we get floods, the roads got washed out. But not even quick fixes were made. They just wait for the sun to dry them up and forget about them. Anybody could just dig the road for whatever reason, then forget to cover it back properly. Look what they did to the road near Conch Charter.
Now that people complained about the roads, they suddenly decided to do them all in one go. Obviously, no real planning on how to manage traffic during work days. Seems like we have quack engineers and contractors working on our roads. It is almost holiday season and we are still on this misery. This is just not how we should live.
THIS IS REDICULOUS!!!
All roads East and West blocked at once!
Traffic going into Road Town from West End this morning was backed up past Pockwood Pond. It took an hour to stop-and-go to Nanny Cay from there.
What fool thought this was a good idea?!?
Get your crews woking at night! Manage this, instead of sitting back and posturing!
I THINK WE THE BVI PEOPLE ARE MENTALLY DRAIN - HAVE TO DEAL WITH ALL THIS SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL ISSUE NOW ONE MORE ADD ON TO THE LIST- INFASTRUCTURAL NEGLIGENCE
Stop digging the roads and start paving.