Construction ongoing on the Clifton Hill Connector Road on Wed. Oct. 26, which will provide a dedicated right turn lane on the Melvin Evans Highway near the Container Port Road, eliminating the shared right turn that currently exists. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM
The V.I. Dept. of Public Works has been one of the busiest departments in the Bryan administration, with tens of millions of dollars being spent across the territory to rebuild and repair roads in neighborhoods and main thoroughfares.
Of great importance is the Clifton Hill Connector Road, which DPW says will provide a dedicated right turn lane on the Melvin Evans Highway near the Container Port Road, which will eliminate the shared right turn that currently exists. The current shared right lane has led to many near misses and has been a longstanding complaint of motorists.
The completed project will also "correct the existing road alignment by eliminating the curve and improving the steepness of the grade," according to Public Works.
The contract, awarded to Grace Civil, LLC for $9.5 million, began in August. DPW said the project's scope includes drainage improvements and sidewalk installation. "Motorists and pedestrians are encouraged to proceed with caution when traversing this area. DPW will continue to update the community as this project progresses," the department said.
"Since September of last year the Dept. of Public Works has been doing a tremendous amount of roadwork across the territory," said Derek Gabriel, DPW commissioner, in July as he spoke of major projects that were ongoing in both districts.
The costs of the projects have been paid for by a mix of grants and American Rescue Plan Act funding, including a $22 million ARPA provision kick-starting a massive territory-wide effort that included 34 projects, 17 in each district.
“This ARPA allocation really showcases the administration’s commitment to improving the quality of our roads, highways and drainage infrastructure across the Territory – especially as we are in the midst of our disaster recovery efforts,” Mr. Gabriel said in a March DPW press release. “This is a continued effort from the tremendous push we made territory-wide with the funds provided through Act 8454.”
Since then, roadwork has continued throughout the USVI, spanning east to west in both districts.
