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ST. THOMAS — Construction of the Cyril E. King Airport’s new Parking and Transportation Center begins on Monday, the V.I. Port Authority has announced. During the first phase of construction, the project contractor will relocate underground pipes and sewage lines, according to VIPA.
Most of the airport’s public parking area is now closed and will remain closed during the duration of this two-year project. VIPA announced last month that this project would start in March and parking at the Cyril E. King Airport will be limited during construction.
Travelers have been advised to be dropped off and picked up when traveling, the authority said. Curbside parking is not allowed at the airport when dropping off or picking up passengers. Signs are posted at the terminal advising of the new parking restrictions. Motorists are asked to adhere to the no parking signs as violators will be towed and booted at their own expense.
VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe said that the authority is aware that the limited parking at CEKA during the construction will be an inconvenience to the public. “We are asking for the public’s patience during this temporary arrangement. After the Parking and Transportation Center is completed, we will be table to relocate the car rental agencies and begin the much-needed expansion of the 30-year-old CEKA Terminal,” he said.
According to the release, the Parking and Transportation Center will have 600 parking spaces and a dedicated location for ground transportation and car rental operations. The $26.8 million project is funded via a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce-Economic Development Administration in 2019. VIPA will provide a $6.8 million local match. AT Construction was awarded the construction contract via a competitive bidding process.
VIPA said it will continue to provide project updates via its website www.viport.com, its social media accounts, and through press releases and radio announcements. The authority’s management thanked the public for their patience as VIPA works to develop its port infrastructure to improve and modernize the travel experience in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
