A recently completed Peter's Rest Road Project. Photo Credit: DPW.
ST. THOMAS — Commissioner Derek Gabriel of the Department of Public Works on Monday provided updates on several key infrastructure projects nearing completion across the Virgin Islands, including road rehabilitation, drainage improvements, and upcoming bridge replacements.
Speaking during a Government House press briefing, Mr. Gabriel outlined project timelines and assured residents that visible progress will continue through the end of 2025 and into next year.
On St. Thomas, the long-awaited downtown drainage rehabilitation project is now in its final stages and is expected to be completed by early December. “We have done major drainage replacement and repairs and roadway rehabilitation on 11 locations throughout downtown Charlotte Amalie,” said Mr. Gabriel. “Just about our entire historic downtown was touched by this project, and it really was very impactful.”
Elsewhere on St. Thomas, roadside rehabilitation work in Bordeaux is also expected to be completed before year’s end. The project includes the replacement of a retaining wall and installation of gabion baskets to reinforce the area before the final paving phase begins. “We are replacing a retaining wall, adding some gabion baskets for additional stability, and then going in and finishing our roadway rehabilitation,” the commissioner said, extending gratitude to residents for their patience throughout the construction process.
Looking ahead to 2026, work will soon begin on the Leonardo “Nardo” Trotman Drive project, which is aimed at improving access to nearby public infrastructure. “That project has been awarded, and we do anticipate starting that project in the first quarter of 2026,” Mr. Gabriel announced.
On St. Croix, Public Works is preparing to launch several major paving initiatives in the coming months. Road paving in Diamond Ruby is expected to begin in December, following the completion of underground utility work by Liberty VI. “Once Liberty VI is finished with their undergrounding efforts that are going on in that area,” Mr. Gabriel said, “we’ll move forward with paving.”
Additionally, Frederiksted street improvements are scheduled to begin in January, pending the finalization of permits before the end of the year. Planned work includes road replacements along King Street, Queen Street, Strand Street, and portions of Fisher Street. “Of course, we don't want to start that before the end of the year, because we know we have the festival season coming up,” the commissioner said.
In preparation for festival activities, temporary repairs will be made to the bridge leading to the Ham’s Bluff area to ensure safe access for residents and visitors. The full replacement of that bridge, however, is part of a larger project slated to commence in early 2026.
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