Port Authority Sustains $85 Million In Hurricane-Related Damages; Gives Update On Port Facilities

The Virgin Islands Port Authority on Friday gave an update on progress at the territory’s ports following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, revealing that the authority altogether sustained $85 million in damages from the September storms.

The ports, though closed for public use for almost two weeks following the hurricanes, were quickly reopened to accommodate emergency personnel and supplies coming into the islands.

VIPA said rebuilding its air and seaports to ensure a safe and pleasant travel experience is now the foremost priority. Insurance adjusters have completed preliminary assessments and are now conducting more detailed appraisals of VIPA’s facilities. The authority has selected Lemartec as the construction manager at risk for restoration work of its 118 affected properties.

Airports

The Cyril E. King Airport (CEKA) terminal on St. Thomas was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma and again by Hurricane Maria, the latter which came less than two weeks later. The entire roof was damaged and windows were blown in, which led to extensive flooding and destruction of property. The authority reopened the CEKA terminal to limited commercial traffic on September 28 – nine days after the passing of Maria. Most airlines have resumed service to St. Thomas, but are only offering one flight per day until repairs to the terminal are completed, according to the authority.

VIPA reported that American Airlines recently added a second daily flight to St. Thomas. It said that the damaged terminal gates have been repaired and the preclearance area at the CEKA terminal is ready to accept travelers. However, normal operations will not resume until the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has completed an assessment of its equipment and staffing, which were both affected by the hurricanes. VIPA’s said its goal is to fully reopen the CEKA terminal by mid-December.

The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (HERA) on St. Croix reopened to commercial traffic on October 5. American Airlines and JetBlue have resumed service to St. Croix.

Seaports

VIPA’s cruise docking facilities at the Ann Abramson Marine Facility on St. Croix and the Austin Monsanto Marine Facility on St. Thomas are prepared to accept cruise ships, the authority said. Some of the Crown Bay Center’s stores were damaged and are being repaired.

The Jewel of the Seas, previously scheduled to berth in Crown Bay on November 20, has been repositioned to the West Indian Company Dock at Havensight. Cruise ship schedules for Crown Bay and St. Croix have been released and are available on VIPA’s Website: www.viport.com. All cruise schedules are subject to change.

The Edward Blyden Terminal on the Charlotte Amalie Waterfront was being rehabilitated prior to the storms. The new elevator should be ready for public use by December 2017. Additional upgrades to the terminal and hurricane-damage repairs should be completed during the first quarter of 2018, the authority said.

The two-level parking garage at the Urman V. Fredericks Terminal at Red Hook that was under construction before the storms was wrecked. Reconstruction of the parking garage is now slated to be completed in April 2018.

On St. John, the Theovald Moorehead Facility at Enighed Pond is closed until damaged boats have been removed from the pond. Barges have been temporarily relocated to the Victor Sewer Facility at “The Creek” in Cruz Bay. There are no US Customs clearance services provided on St. John as both the US Customs Building and VIPA’s administrative offices on St. John were destroyed. These buildings will be replaced with modular units. A clean-up of the Loredon Boynes, Sr. Dock in Cruz Bay is scheduled for Monday.

Other Commercial Properties/Bournefield Housing

VIPA said it has completed initial assessments of all its other commercial properties and the Bournefield Housing Community on St. Thomas, and continues to make repairs.