The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced that the official launch of the historic Traffic Turnaround in Road Town will take place on June 15 after the final simulation over the weekend.

Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye Rymer said, “The final simulation will take place on Sunday, June 14 beginning at 5:00 a.m. so that the public gets one final practice with all the adjustments and markings properly in place. Then on Monday, June 15 the official traffic turnaround and will take effect.”

Honourable Rymer added, “All new routes as advertised and aided by road signage and directional road markings should be followed. Let me urge motorists and pedestrians to be courteous to each other during this time of transition as it is the New Regular.”

 Here’s what you need to know about the Traffic Turnaround:

1.         Waterfront Drive - (the stretch of road from the traffic lights on Administration Drive to the roundabout by Sol Gas station) Traffic going in one direction from the traffic lights easterly to the roundabout.

2.         Roundabout – (in Road Town by Sol Gas station) traffic is no longer going towards the west on Waterfront Drive.

3.         DeCastro Street – (the roadway from Bobby’s Supermarket to now Republic Bank, formerly Scotia Bank) Traffic will be going in one direction onto Positive Action Drive westerly.

4.         Joe’s Hill - Traffic can continue to go left or now turn right onto Main Street.  Traffic going right (westerly) from the foot of Joe’s Hill Road (by the Road Town Methodist Cemetery) will now be headed one way only towards the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital.

5.         Nibbs Street – (the roadway adjacent First Bank and Cutlass Tower) Traffic will be going in one direction towards Waterfront Drive, turning right only.

Upcoming phases in the construction of a Pedestrian Friendly Road Town include:

• Installation of an additional lane going westbound coming out of Administration Drive onto Waterfront Drive to support vehicle capacity, enabling traffic flow towards the western part of Tortola
• Paid parking lots within the Road Town area
• Free parking on the Festival Ground in Road Town
• Free shuttle service around Road Town

The launch is expected to be a historic change for Road Town, ‘Our Little City with a Big Heart’ as the Government of the Virgin Islands works to create a pedestrian-friendly capital with a refreshing and pleasant ambience.

‘Safe Driving Saves Lives’