Stimulus money for South Shore Road
Government officials, including Gov. John deJongh, broke ground Monday on what will be the first federal stimulus money-funded road project in the Virgin Islands, and it’s a big one.
A $4 million, nine month long project will repair and repave 2.8 miles of South Shore Road, officially Route 104.
“We’re expecting to start work as soon as next week,” Department of Public Works commissioner Darryl Smalls told us. “Motorists can expect delays and interruptions, but at the end of the day we will have significant safety improvements.
It’s great news. The road is a real mess.
September 28th, 2009 13:05
Can I mark my calendar for 9 months from now for a Jeep-cam segment? Have you already done a Jeep-cam over this section so we can see a before and after?
September 28th, 2009 14:03
SteveV – I just went back and researched old jeep-cams and found one posted February 15, 08 of Gift Hill South Shore side. You can tell the road is in pretty bad shape in some spots, (big potholes). I think your idea is pretty good to do a before and after jeep-cam. I also came across several older blogs regarding Kenny C. Can anyone tell me whether or not he still has a house on STJ? I would hate to think he abandoned the island entirely.
September 28th, 2009 17:43
Those darn signs – I have seen them everywhere they are doing construction lately. How much did they cost? How many more roads could have been fixed if we did not pay for those signs??
September 28th, 2009 18:00
Does that mean 9 months??? I think that is not a true fact. A pure example the roundabout – how long???
September 28th, 2009 18:42
I’m sure the signs cost a pittance, printed in the White House garage.
The South Shore road is in terrible shape. Anybody who drives it will scream, “why can’t they fix this?!” When it’s done, it will be terrific. Plus the whole idea of stimulus is to create jobs. This might do that AND make Gifft Hill Road less of a bone crusher! Thanks Obama mon!
September 29th, 2009 05:04
Jen I’m with you! Those signs make my blood boil. Glad roads are getting fixed but too bad it couldn’t be accomplished with local taxes instead of mine. I wonder if the NEA made those signs???
September 29th, 2009 06:26
This is much needed and as said will bring in work. The signs aren’t great but a necessary evil when govt’s anywhere do things like this. And if every repair everywhere had to be done only with “local” money, we’d see the further erosion of cities on the brink. We are one country. Come down in 9 months (or 15) and enjoy your new roads and you won’t be sorry you did.
September 29th, 2009 06:55
I hope some of the ARRA $$$ is for painting the yellow lines
in the center of the road.
September 29th, 2009 08:59
those signs are made by hard working Americans in American. It puts food on the talbe with a little left over so we can come visit St John.
September 29th, 2009 09:17
With all this talk about this being a great jobs creator…what about the other side of the coin…the jobs lost…what happens to the folks who straighten the bent axles and hammer out bent rims after people bounce down this rough road…what about those who replace the exploded tires and shock absorbers after coming in contact with all the pot holes?? What about them??? Maybe there are still a few rough roads left on the island to keep these people employed???
September 29th, 2009 09:36
Medium-sized signs cost about $750 to $1,250, with large signs costing up to $2,000. (referenced @ http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21130250/detail.html).
Even @ $2000, that is .05% of the 4 million being spent.
October 1st, 2009 16:50
I am confused. Don’t you mean the North Shore road? I’ve driven both, and the North shore is where I see the signs and the work being done.