The lack of available parking in the downtown area, bumper to bumper traffic, and intermittent public transportation have long been issues residents complain about. Yet fewer than thirty members of the community attended Wednesday’s public meeting on St. Thomas regarding the transportation plan for the territory.
The Department of Public Works, along with consulting firm PB Americas, has started a comprehensive study of transportation throughout the territory which involves visitor surveys, transportation surveys, and traffic counts-garnered from those black rubber hoses in the road to develop a blueprint for the transportation system through the year 2030.
The $1.1 million study, according to Darryl Smalls, commissioner of DPW, is federally funded and will enable the territory to be in compliance with federal guidelines and eligible for additional funding. Federal guidelines also require local governments to involve the community in the planning process.
At Wednesday’s gathering at the Curriculum Center in Anna’s Retreat, Smalls briefly touched on plans for additional parking and roads, which drew comments from the crowd.
“What we don’t need more of here is more parking and more roads,” said Trudie Prior, president and general manager of Coral World. “We are an island surrounded by water and need to expand our transportation via the water.”
Smalls responded by informing those in attendance that the territory is finally eligible to apply for marine route funding and DPW has started that process. DPW has targeted four points for a marine route to include Water Island, Crown Bay, downtown Charlotte Amalie, and the West Indian Company dock. Federal funding, if granted, would cover the cost of equipment, such as boats, and the building of necessary terminals. According to Smalls, operation of the service would be put out for bid to private companies.
When asked whether the taxi associations were involved, Smalls stated that they would have the opportunity to bid on running the marine service.
After hearing feedback regarding aesthetics and beautification of the island’s roadways, Smalls said, “There will be no concrete jungle. Landscaping will be a key component.”
John Euwema, local architect, said, “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but when the power goes out, the intersections actually work better.”
Karole Ovesen-McGregor, DPW’s deputy commissioner, said short-term projects such as changing light timing and striping the roads would commence shortly.
DPW officials are asking the public to visit their website at www.usvitransportationplan.com to learn more about the Comprehensive Transportation Master Plan. Residents can also make comments and give input online regarding the plan.
The public meetings continue on St. Croix Thursday at The Curriculum Center in Kingshill from 6 to 9 p.m.
