The Government of the Virgin Islands is working vigorously to build the territory’s infrastructure to a level that will enhance the quality of life for residents of the Virgin Islands.

In the shadows of major development projects, such as the Cruise Pier/landside development and the BVI Electricity Corporation Phase V Development Plan, there is a vast amount other projects progressing in the Territory.

The Ministry of Communications and Works has undertaken a territory-wide roads rehabilitation project which include reconstruction of slope stabilisation, drainage works and reinforcement of concrete road pavement. The road works will ensure that residents and visitors experience a more comfortable travel to and from destinations on land, as well as ensure a lower rate of road related damage to vehicles.

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool, said in his remarks at the $16 million BVI Social Security Board Contract signing yesterday, that the Government is conscious of the need to upgrade the road network throughout the Territory, a mission the Ministry has taken on with great commitment. 

The Minister stated that ongoing works are all in sync with each other as it is for one initiative; building up strong road, utility and other infrastructural networks.

Honourable Vanterpool said, “The road rehabilitation works are being undertaken in line with the expansion of our cruise facility, so that our residents and visitors are able to easily and more safely traverse the island. This is how serious our Government is about the infrastructural development of our Territory of the Virgin Islands.”

Workers are casting road edges in Kingston and other needed areas, to improve road sustainability through heavy rains, weathering and daily vehicular traffic.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr. Anthony McMaster, stated, “We are moving away from having to put layers and layers of asphalt on top of each other without having a more permanent solution. By placing the edge of road, it prevents water from penetrating the asphalt underneath and eroding the sub-base.”

He added that when the sub-base is eroded and there is constant wear and tear from vehicles traversing the roads, pot holes develop. The ‘‘edge of road’, he said, is designed to lock the asphalt in place and prevent pot holes.

The road edges are being constructed before paving as it also makes work more efficient and serves as a guide for machinery to lay asphalt in a more uniformed manner.

Drainage works are simultaneously being done with the road works and will ensure that run-off is being directed to proper areas of drainage. The projects under the Caribbean Development Bank Contract deals with these issues which have affected areas like Ballast Bay, Parham Town, Fortune Ghut and Cane Garden Bay.

The Ministry is moving forward with its techniques in framing the territory and to this end, new technology such as asphalt milling, which recycles asphalt, is showing progress.

The Ministry of Communications and Works is devoted to developing the Territory’s Infrastructure, and during these and other developments, the Ministry is asking for the support and patience of Virgin Islanders as the completion of each project is a movement toward building the British Virgins Islands and ultimately putting the Territory and its people first.