St. Thomas prepares for traffic delays as infrastructure survey work begins

Drivers across St. Thomas should prepare for temporary lane closures this week as contractors launch fieldwork tied to the Rebuild USVI infrastructure initiative.

The joint venture of Kiewit Corporation and KHVI will be mapping roadway conditions, documenting infrastructure and gathering data from public roads, shoulders and sidewalks across five major routes: Bolongo Bay Road, Elmo D. Roebuck Sr. Drive, Nicholas Friday Memorial Drive, Emile Francis Memorial Drive and Benburin "Benny" Stephens Drive in Bovoni. This preliminary work is meant to inform planning for construction activities ahead.

In the western section, activity will span the area northwest of where Bolongo Bay Road meets Dwight Circle, moving toward Blazers Way. Surveyors will also work near the junction of Elmo D. Roebuck Sr. Drive and Lime Tree Beach Road, and from the intersection of Elmo D. Roebuck Sr. Drive and Broad Ranch Road extending toward Lime Tree Beach Road.

Eastern St. Thomas and Red Hook will see crews operating along Nicholas Friday Memorial Drive and Emile Francis Memorial Drive, starting from Upper Red Hook Plaza and progressing east toward Pavilion Road near Pavilions and Pools Villa Hotel. Additional surveys are planned between Benner's Hill Road, which sits near the Leonard B. Francis Armory, and Nazareth Terrace along Nicholas Friday Memorial Drive. Work will also occur at the junction of Nicholas Friday Memorial Drive and Clarita "Bamboula" Way, next to Ezra Fredericks Ballpark, before moving west toward Benburin "Benny" Stephens Drive. On Emile Francis Memorial Drive, fieldwork will begin on the southeast side of Point Pleasant Way and continue toward Pavilion Road.

In Bovoni, Benburin "Benny" Stephens Drive will be surveyed from near Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School eastward to Nicholas Friday Memorial Drive near the Wayne "Facts Man" Adams Bridge.

The contractors are asking motorists to allow extra time for travel and stay alert in work zones. Drivers should slow down, keep distance from crews and equipment, watch for vehicles entering or leaving the roadway, and avoid disturbing traffic control devices and safety barriers.

The public notice does not specify exact times for closures or confirm that all five roads will experience disruptions at the same time. For details, residents and businesses can call 857-575-2865 or email [email protected].