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HomeNewsLocal newsPublic Works Aims to Have All Traffic Lights Working by Summer

Public Works Aims to Have All Traffic Lights Working by Summer

A broken traffic signal hangs over an intersection near Fort Christian. (David MacVean photo)
A broken traffic signal hangs over an intersection near Fort Christian. (David MacVean photo)

The Department of Public Works is making the busiest intersections its top priority as it works to have all electronic traffic signals in the USVI operational “by summertime,” Commissioner Nelson M. Petty, Jr. said in an interview with the Source.

The hurricanes of 2017 damaged or destroyed 59 intersections on St. Thomas and St. Croix, Petty told the Source. Repairs have been delayed by the scale of destruction across the region, with Puerto Rico and Houston both losing more than 5,000 traffic signals last year.

The USVI has already received $6.5 million in Federal Highway Program Quick Release money to repair 19 intersections, and another $6.5 million is expected to be released any day for another 19 intersections. The Department of Public Works has formally requested another $15 million to repair the remaining 21 intersections that need electronic traffic signals. The cost averages almost $500,000 per intersection.

Before the storms thrashed the islands in September, the maintenance budget was minimal because the signals require very little attention, Petty said. The current funds are part of the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Repair Program, managed on the USVI by Jomo McClean.

A crossing signal lies by the side of the road. (David MacVean photo)
A crossing signal lies by the side of the road. (David MacVean photo)

“Our previous supplier went out of business last year, so we were forced to find a new supplier on short notice,” McClean said. “It normally takes several months to receive traffic signals and poles from the date of order. That time frame has been doubled and in some cases tripled due to the storms. We’re not the only place ordering traffic infrastructure, so that’s exacerbated the wait even more.”

The Department of Public Works expects a major shipment of traffic signal supplies in early April for St. Thomas.

After reassessing additional repairs needed after the storms, Public Works will resume the $40 million waterfront improvement along Veterans Drive in April. Work is not expected to interfere with Carnival events. This project began before the hurricanes and is funded by GARVEEs (Federal Highway Administration Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles.)

Someone, apparently frustrated by thoughtless drivers, has appended a pungent message to a stop sign. (sap photo)
Someone, apparently frustrated by thoughtless drivers, has appended a pungent message to a stop sign. (sap photo)

Another project delayed by the hurricanes is the Turpentine Run Road Project, known locally as the “Bridge to Nowhere.” The $9.5 million project was stalled 20 years ago when adjacent land acquisition hit a dead end. Islands Roads Corp. was hired in 2017 as the new design and construction contractor for Turpentine Run. Before the hurricanes struck the project was scheduled for completion in early 2018. After a five-month delay, construction began again this month. Adding to the delay was Islands Roads Corp. also having the contract to repair Main St. in Charlotte Amalie.

Earlier in March, two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle after they reportedly jaywalked near Fort Christian. The traffic signals on either side of the block where the incident occurred do not work. Traffic control officers from the VIPD did direct traffic for a few hours after the incident. When asked about these policies and procedures, Petty said the VIPD decides where to station personnel, but there is “some coordination.”

He reiterated that the priority of Public Works is the repair the electronic traffic signals at the busiest intersections as soon as possible.

The VIPD did not reply to requests for comments on the recent incident nor traffic control policies.

The infamous 'Bridge to Nowhere" may finally get completed. (David MacVean photo)
The infamous ‘Bridge to Nowhere” may finally get completed. (David MacVean photo)
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