May 27, 2009 — Motorists were asked Wednesday not to approach the Point Pleasant resort from the direction of Coki Point while repairs to a water main break were under way.
Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority crews finished their work in the area around 2 a.m. Wednesday, but one of the repairs in the vicinity of the Church of the Apostle's Doctrine did not hold, according to Cassandra Dunn, spokeswoman for WAPA.
In addition, a valve in the area now needs repair as well.
"We are expecting them to finish the repairs by mid-morning," Dunn said.
As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, only the southbound lane was open and WAPA asked that motorists avoid the Smith Bay area and take alternate routes.
The same crew that worked overnight will be back out this morning working at the scene.
"When duty calls, you must answer," Dunn said. "Those same people have to stay out until the work is finished, and we definitely appreciate their efforts."
Traffic in the area has been interrupted since late Tuesday, when the water main break caused the roadway to lift and made it impassable, according to Department of Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls.
Later in the evening a second break was discovered in the vicinity of the former Renaissance Hotel in Smith Bay, according to Dunn.
Drivers coming from Cassi Hill were advised to use the Nadir Road, according to V.I. police spokeswoman Melody Rames.
The road to Point Pleasant coming from Red Hook is passable, according to staff at Point Pleasant.
"This was a relatively new line, only about three years old," Dunn said. "WAPA will perform forensics on the line to determine why these faults occurred."
The damaged main line is also the same line that brings water to St. John, but Dunn said that island's water supply will not be affected because WAPA has enough water stored there to sustain St. John's demand while repairs are made.
