Federal property agreement advances Expansion of the Charlotte Amalie waterfront roadway, improves pedestrian access and strengthens coastal infrastructure
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced Monday that the Government of the Virgin Islands has reached a significant agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard, resolving one of the major obstacles that has delayed Phase 2 of the Veterans Drive Improvement Project and clearing a path toward construction of the long-awaited waterfront expansion in downtown Charlotte Amalie.
The Governor made the announcement during his weekly Government House press briefing, outlining the successful negotiations involving the Coast Guard, the Federal Highway Administration, Eastern Federal Lands, and the Virgin Islands Departments of Public Works and Property and Procurement.
The agreement addresses complicated federal property issues along the Charlotte Amalie waterfront that have prevented the project from advancing for many years. Its resolution allows the government to move forward with solicitation of the project and the remaining property acquisition requirements and necessary federal approvals.
“This is a project the people of St. Thomas have been waiting a long time to see move forward, and I understand why,” Governor Bryan said. “We finished the first phase in 2021, and we have been working ever since to get this next phase off the ground. It has taken a lot of work with our federal partners to get through these property issues, but we have finally gotten to a place where we can move forward. That’s important progress for St. Thomas and for our capital city.”
Phase 2 will build on the waterfront improvements completed in 2021, extending the four-lane roadway around the Virgin Islands Legislature and introducing additional improvements designed to ease traffic congestion, improve pedestrian access and strengthen the waterfront against coastal conditions.
The planned improvements include a tree-lined pedestrian promenade, upgraded drainage infrastructure and seawall reinforcement to better protect the downtown waterfront. Together, the improvements are intended to make Veterans Drive a more efficient transportation corridor while creating a safer, more accessible waterfront for residents, businesses and visitors.
Approximately $100 million is anticipated for property acquisition and construction-related costs, making the project a major investment in the Territory’s transportation and coastal infrastructure.
Governor Bryan also confirmed that the project has entered the federal procurement process. The pre-solicitation period is underway and continues through Nov. 19, while the solicitation period runs through Jan. 13, 2027.
These procurement activities represent another important step toward securing a construction contractor and advancing the project beyond planning and property negotiations.
Although the Coast Guard agreement resolves a major impediment, additional work remains, including final property surveys, appraisals and required approvals. The administration is continuing to coordinate with its federal and territorial partners to complete those requirements and maintain the project’s forward momentum.
The Governor emphasized that the progress on Veterans Drive is part of a broader effort to advance major infrastructure projects across the Territory, including Mahogany Road, Nardo Trotman Drive, Spring Gut Road and the Paul E. Joseph Stadium. Those projects are at various stages of completion, active construction or preparation to begin work within the next 60 days.
“We still have a lot of work to do, and we’re going to keep pushing these projects right up until our last day in office,” Governor Bryan said. “We’re not going to finish every project before we leave. That’s the reality of government. But what we can do is make sure the work keeps moving and that the next administration has something solid to build on. That’s how we make progress for the people of the Virgin Islands.”
The Bryan-Roach Administration will continue working with federal partners to complete the remaining requirements for Veterans Drive Phase 2, positioning the project to advance through procurement and toward construction.
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