Statement

Ministry of Communications and Works
Public Works Department
Topics: 
Public Works, Roads
Release Date:
Tuesday, 24 September 2024 - 1:53pm

Remarks By

Honourable Kye M. Rymer

Minister For Communications And Works

On The Rehabilitation Of The Territory Roads: Sea Cow’s Bay

SEPTEMBER 23rd 2024

My fellow Virgin Islanders and Residents, as we work to address the deplorable roads in our territory, we initiated the milling of Sea Cows Bay Road with the intention of resurfacing it with asphalt.

However, after thorough review and discussions with the district representative, we identified a critical need to upgrade the drainage system to address the water ponding caused by heavy rainfall, which has been undermining the road’s integrity.

The existing culvert and drainage systems in the Sea Cows Bay area are inadequate. The stormwater pipes beneath the road are undersized and prone to blockage. During storms, they fail to manage the stormwater effectively, resulting in backups and ponding on the roadway.

Additionally, recent reclamation efforts have obstructed the discharge points of these culverts.  To rectify this, we have identified five culvert crossings along Sea Cows Bay Road that require upgrades. We will enhance and modify the drainage systems and clear the paths.

As a result of our commitment to properly address these drainage issues, we have postponed the application of asphalt to the road to facilitate the necessary upgrades. We kindly ask the public to be patient a little longer, as this delay will ultimately lead to a more durable road that will serve the community for years to come.

We appreciate your understanding and wanted to clarify the reasons for the current state of the road.

And to assure you the public that it is not left undone.