>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ >>> THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN TO "RECOVERY IN FOCUS."

I´M ADRIAN WILLIAMS.

NEARLY A YEAR AGO, WE FEATURED A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ON THIS SHOW, HIGHLIGHTING DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS SLATED FOR ALL THREE ISLANDS.

TODAY, SOME OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, AND OTHERS ARE WELL UNDERWAY, MANY MORE ARE IN THE PIPELINE.

MAKING IT CLEAR THAT DPW IS ON THE MOVE.

SO STAY WITH US THIS HOUR, AS WE GET THE VERY LATEST FROM THE NEW MEN IN CHARGE, DEREK GABRIEL.

BUT FIRST, A BRIEF LOOK AT OTHER RECOVERY PROJECTS MAKING NEWS HEADLINES ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

>> FROM THE STUDIO ON ST. CROIX, FEMA, THROUGH THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, RECENTLY AWARDED $7.3 MILLION TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO DEMOLISH AND REBUILD THE VIRGIN ISLANDS´ INDUSTRIAL PARK, WHICH OVERLOOKS THE CROWN BAY MARINA.

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, WAYNE BIGS, JR., SAID THE FACILITY WILL REVEAL 5,000 MORE SQUARE FEET OF SPACE AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES TO USE, WHICH WILL MEAN ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT IN THE TERRITORY.

>> WE WILL NOT ONLY REPAIR THE PARK, BUT WE WILL MODERNIZE THE PARK, WE WILL HARDEN THIS PARK.

SO THIS WILL BE A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY.

NOW, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

WE´RE CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION, SO WE´RE COMPLETING THOSE TASK ORDERS TO GET THIS DONE.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT WILL TAKE ANOTHER 06 DAYS.

THEREAFTER, ANOTHER TEN MONTHS BEFORE THIS PARK IS COMPLETE.

I INVITE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PUBLIC TO COME AND VISIT THIS PARK IN THE NEXT YEAR AND SEE THE REPAIRS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE.

>> THE JUDICIARY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS MAKING STEADY PROGRESS TOWARDS RESTORING THE JUSTICE CENTER TO ITS PREDISASTER COMMISSION.

RENOVATIONS ARE UNDER WAY AT THE THREE-STORY FACILITY WITH REPAIRS TO THE ROOF, EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY JULY.

INTERIOR RENOVATIONS ON THE THIRD FLOOR, WHICH INCLUDE MOLD MEDIATION AND REPAIRS TO THE COURTROOM, ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE BY MID JUNE.

THE PROJECT IS BEING FUNDED BY AN $890,000 REWARD FROM FEMA´S PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

A PERMANENT FIX IS IN THE WORKS FOR A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED FLOOD PRONE INTERSECTION ON ST. CROIX.

FEMA RECENTLY APPROVED FUNDING FOR THE LORAIN INTERSECTION DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, WHICH WILL HELP ALLEVIATE FLOODING IN THAT AREA.

ACCORDING TO TERRITORIAL HAZARD MITIGATION OFFICER RAPHAEL RIVERA.

>> THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR PHASE ONE, FOR THE TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT AND ENGINEERING DESIGN.

APPROVAL OF PHASE TWO, THE CONSTRUCTION WILL CONTINUE.

THIS PROPOSES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RETENTION POND AND SEVERAL DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT TECHNIQUES THAT WILL HELP ALLEVIATE THE RECURRENT FLOODING THAT AFFECTS THIS AREA.

THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETION.

>> FEMA´S GRANT PROGRAM APPROVED FUNDING FOR PHASE ONE OF THE ESTATE PARADISE ROAD DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, WHICH WILL HELP REDUCE FLOODING AT THE LEWIS E. BROWN APARTMENTS.

TWO POPULAR LIBRARIES ON ST. CROIX WILL RECEIVE MAKEOVERS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES SECURED $1.8 MILLION THROUGH FEMA´S PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO COMPLETE REPAIRS TO THE FLORENCE A. WILLIAMS PUBLIC LIBRARY.

BOTH LIBRARIES ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO THE DAMAGES SUSTAINED DURING THE 2017 HURRICANE SEASON.

DURING A PREVIOUS APPEARANCE ON "RECOVERY IN FOCUS," THE COMMISSIONER SAID DESIGNS WERE BEING FINALIZED FOR THE PETERSON LIBRARY.

>> THE REPAIRS ARE NOT AS EXTENSIVE AS WE THOUGHT THEY WOULD NEED TO BE.

AND SO WE ARE HOPING THAT, AGAIN, AFTER TWO OR THREE MONTHS OF CONTRACTS -- A CONTRACTOR IN THERE, THAT THE FACILITY WILL BE OPEN.

>> A SOLICITATION FOR CONSTRUCTION WILL BE RELEASED IN JUNE.

AND ONCE A CONTRACTOR IS SELECTED, WORK CAN BEGIN TO RESTORE THE FACILITIES TO THEIR PREDISASTER CONDITION.

THE ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATE FOR BOTH PROJECTS IS APRIL 2022.

>>> THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY RECEIVED A $62 MILLION BOOST IN ITS EFFORTS TO RESTOREHOUSING COMMUNITIES DRIED BY THE 2017 HURRICANE.

FEMA, THROUGH ITS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, RECENTLY APPROVED THE FUNDING FOR 12 RENOVATION PROJECTS ON ST. THOMAS, $16.6 MILLION WILL BE USED TO REPAIR THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND MAIL ROOM.

AND $3.5 MILLION USED TO CONTINUE THE WORK IN PROGRESS AT THE HIGH RISE.

ON ST. CROIX, $41.9 MILLION WAS AWARDED FOR RENOVATIONS TO THE CENTRAL OFFICE AND WAREHOUSES IN KINGS HILL, AS WELL AS SEVERAL HOMES, AND HOUSING COMMUNITIES.

THE FEMA OBLIGATION INCLUDES FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PAVILION REVITALIZATION PROJECT.

ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.

>> THAT REVITALIZATION PROJECT CONSISTS OF THE TOTAL GUTTING AND REHABILITATION OF 250 UNITS AT THE PAVILION.

THE CONTRACT OR THE BID RATHER FOR THAT PARTICULAR CONTRACT IS CURRENTLY OUT FOR SOLICITATION AND IT´S DUE BACK ON JUNE 2nd.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING BIDS FROM OUR GENERAL CONTRACTORS THON PROJECT, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO START CONSTRUCTION BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER OF 2021.

>> THE BID ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE REVITALIZATION PROJECT CAN BE FOUND ON THE ODR WEBSITE.

BUSINESS OWNERS, CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE RECOVERY, SHOULD GO TO THE WEBSITE.

AND CLICK ON THE DOING BUSINESS WITH ODR TAB FOR DETAILED INFORMATION.

ANOTHER RECOVERY PROJECT ON THE WEBSITE THAT´S OUT FORBID RIGHT NOW IS A MUSEUM PROJECT ON ST. CROIX.

FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS, AS WELL AS UP-TO-DATE NEWS ON ALL DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY, LOGON TO THE WEBSITE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE.

AND JOINING ME ONSET IS NONE OTHER THAN MY CO-HOST, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY.

AND LET´S WELCOME TO THE SHOW, DEREK GABRIEL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.

IT´S PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON HERE.

WELCOME TO "RECOVERY IN FOCUS," GENTLEMEN.

LET ME START BY SAYING CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON YOUR CONFIRMATION.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.

>> ALSO, YOU KNOW, IT´S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

YOU HAVE $1.9 BILLION TO SPEND, SO TELL US WHERE YOU ARE.

>> WE HAVE SOME GREAT PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD.

WE HAVE PROJECTS WITH PUBLIC WITH.

I WOULD LIKE TO TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT CBDG MITIGATION, THE NEXT BIG GRANT WE HAVE COMING FOR OVER $700 MILLION.

OUR ACTION PLAN FOR THAT IS DUE ON JUNE 14th.

SO WE´LL SUBMIT THAT TO HUD.

HUD HAS 60 DAYS TO REVIEW, AND AFTER THAT, GIVE US AN ANSWER.

AND I THINK WITH THE CLOSE COLLABORATION WE´VE BEEN HAVING WITH HUD AND UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND HAZARD MITIGATION, WE´LL GET A SWIFT RELY ON THE POSITIVE, AND THEN AFTER THAT, THEY HAVE TO GIVE US THE GRANT AGREEMENT, WHICH GIVES US THE ABILITY TO SPEND THE FUNDS.

AND SOME OTHER GREAT PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE THAT I WANT TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT IS ALSO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

WITH JOBS BEING SUCH A MAJOR COMPONENT IN THE TERRITORY, THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR $10 MILLION OF FUNDING, AND THEY HAVE ARE IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS RIGHT NOW FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE THE SKILLS FOR DAY TRAINING.

SO THAT´S VERY EXCITING TO SEE THAT PROJECT COMING FULL CIRCLE, AND IT WILL SOON BE ABLE TO GIVE TRAINING TO INDIVIDUALS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES BEING PRESENTED BY THE RECOVERY.

AND ALSO BEYOND THE RECOVERY TOO, AS WELL.

SO THAT IS VERY EXCITING.

AND THAT´S SOMETHING WE´RE LOOKING FORWARD TO AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

>> THAT´S GOING TO BE CRITICAL.

IF WE´RE GOING TO GET ALL THESE PROJECTS GOING, THERE HAS TO BE MANPOWER ASSOCIATED WITH PUSHING THESE PROJECTS.

IT´S CRITICAL FOR US.

WE´RE ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE AHEAD OF IT, AND THAT´S BEING REACTIVE.

WE´RE BEING PROACTIVE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF SPENDING $8 BILLION IN THIS VIRGIN ISLANDS ECONOMY.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, WHEN YOU ASK PEOPLE, WELL, WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PROJECTS OR CONCERNS?

I DON´T HAVE TO GO FAR BEFORE THEY START TO SEE ROADS, ROADS, AND MORE ROADS.

AND WE WANT TO JUST -- IT´S REALLY GREAT TO HAVE THE MUSCLE, THE MACHINE, THE BRAIN POWER, AND THE ENERGY, THE CATALYST FOR OUR ROAD PROJECTS ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

SO WELCOME, COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DESIGNEE.

MR. McCLAIN, I JUST WANT TO THANK MR. GRIFFITH FOR HIS UPDATE.

WE´RE GOING TO JUMP STRAIGHT INTO ROADS AND WHERE WE ARE, AND SOME OF OUR MAJOR PROJECTS THAT YOU HAVE GOING ON.

YOU HAVE OVER 200 RECOVERY PROJECTS FROM 2017 HURRICANES.

WE´RE GOING TO FOCUS ON JUST THE PRIORITY PROJECTS AND START WITH VETERANS DRIVE PROJECT, WHICH HAS RECEIVED RAVING REVIEWS FROM RESIDENTS ON ST. THOMAS.

SO LET´S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> I THINK THAT THE VETERANS DRIVE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS GREAT ADDITION TO THE AESTHETICS OF THE ISLAND.

>> I THINK IT´S FANTASTIC.

IT´S BEAUTIFUL.

THE TRAVEL FLOW IS GOING TO BE MUCH BETTER.

THE TREES ARE GORGEOUS.

WHEN WE GET THE SHADE TREES ALONG THE PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN WALK FOR TOURISTS, IT´S GOING TO BE AMAZING.

I CAN´T WAIT TO SEE WHEN IT´S FINISHED.

>> I THINK IT´S GOING TO BE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN WORK AND HOME, THERE´S A LOT OF PEOPLE GO BETWEEN COUNTRY AND TOWN TO WALK IN THESE AREAS.

>> I KNOW THAT PROJECT HAS BEEN ON THE TABLE FOR MANY YEARS.

THOSE OF US THAT KEPT BEING UPDATED ON THE PROJECT KNOW THAT THAT PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION, AND IT IS SO EMBRACED.

NOT ONLY BY OUR VISITORS, BUT IT´S SO GOOD TO SEE THE RESIDENTS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS UTILIZE IT FOR JOGGING, RUNNING, STROLLING, WALKING.

IT´S A FANTASTIC CONTRIBUTION TO THIS COMMUNITY.

>> THERE YOU HAVE IT.

YOU HAVE GOTTEN RAVE REVIEWS ON THE PROJECT.

AND LIKE ONE OF THE PERSONS WHO SPOKE TALKED ABOUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT TOOK A WHILE TO GET COMPLETED.

AND I´M SURE THAT MR. McCLAIN PROBABLY WAS ON THERE SOMEWHERE.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE PROJECT, WHERE WE ARE, WHAT´S HAPPENING NEXT?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT IT.

WE ARE HURTLING RAPIDLY TOWARDS COMPLETION.

WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE CONTRACTOR IS MOVING IN AS ONE OF YOUR SPEAKERS TALKED ABOUT.

THEY´RE PUTTING IN THE TREES, SO WE´RE GETTING READY TO BE COMPLETE.

WE ARE ABOUT TO START PAVING THE -- THAT WOULD BE THE EASTERN -- EAST BOUND LANE.

SO REALLY EXCITED.

THEY´RE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

>> AHEAD OF SCHEDULE?

OKAY.

>> WHICH IS DIFFERENT.

SO OF COURSE, WE´RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT OUR LOCAL MODERN ENGINEERING MARVEL.

WE ARE JUST -- EVERY TIME I SEE SOMEONE USING THE PROMENADE, THAT´S WHAT IT´S FOR, PEOPLE UTILIZING IT TO EXERCISE, WALK, TAKE A TIME TO STROLL WITH THEIR DOGS.

AS SOON AS WE GET A RIBBON CUTTING, WE´RE HOPING THAT MORE PEOPLE WILL COME OUT.

>> MY STAFF TELLS ME THAT THEY EXERCISE.

SHE EXERCISES ON VETERANS DRIVE.

SO HOW DO YOU FEEL, MR. McCLAIN, ABOUT THE WORK BEING DONE?

>> EXTREMELY PROUD.

ONE OF THE SPEAKERS MENTIONED, IT´S BEEN IN PLANNING FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

AND SO TO SEE IT FINALLY COME TO FRUITION, THIS IS JUST PHASE ONE.

PHASE TWO IS COMING ONLINE.

>> WHAT´S INCORPORATED INTO PHASE TWO AND WHO IS PAYING FOR IT?

>> IT´S HOPEFULLY BEING FUNDED BY CBDG.

>> WE´VE ALREADY SENT THE FUNDS FOR PHASE TWO MITIGATION.

SO WE´RE EXCITED TO BE PART OF IT.

>> SO WE WILL BE IMPROVING THE SEA WALL AND DRAPAGE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

SO IT´S DEFINITELY A POSITIVE PROJECT.

>> EXCELLENT.

SO MR. GRIFFITH, YOU´RE SHELLING OUT THE DOLLARS.

I JUST KNOW THAT THIS IS A PROJECT THAT PEOPLE LOVE AND IT JUST ADDS -- WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL HARBOR IN ST. THOMAS.

THIS JUST ADDS TO THE ESTHETICS OF THAT.

SO WE´RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT PROJECT GOING THROUGH THE SUBSEQUENT PHASES AND JUST BEING A BEAUTIFUL PART OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO CROWN MOUNTAIN ROAD PROJECT.

WHAT CAN OUR RESIDENTS EXPECT?

>> TO DIRECTOR, I´LL JUST TELL YOU A BRIEF, FUNNY STORY.

MY FIRST WEEK ON THE PROJECT, ONE OF THE FIRST LETTERS I GOT WAS A PICTURE WITH 41 MONTHS, DOT, DOT, DOT, WHAT WILL YOU DO?

THAT COMPLETION IS UNDERWAY.

WE ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THAT PROJECT, AND IT´S REALLY ON SCHEDULE.

OF COURSE, I´LL LET MR. McCLAIN TALK ABOUT THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT.

>> SO THAT PROJECT IS INSTALLING A NEW CONCRETE WALL.

THIS IS JUST BELOW THE SHIBUYI APARTMENTS.

AND INSTALLING NEW DRAINAGE STRUCTURES THAT WILL TAKE SOME OF THE STORM WATER AND RAINWATER THAT COMES DOWN THE HILL AND TAKE IT TO ITS NATURAL DRAINAGE PATH.

SO THE PROJECT IS DEFINITELY YOU BELIEVED CONSTRUCTION.

>> WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE CONTRACTOR?

>> ISLANDS ROAD CORPORATION.

>> AND I´M JUST GOING TO PUT IT OUT THERE ONE TIME.

[ INAUDIBLE ] WHAT IS THE DEAL?

>> SO I THINK THAT PROJECT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ONES THAT WHEN I CAME ON BOARD WE WERE WRAPPING UP.

IT´S A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT.

SO SIMILARLY, IT ADDED DRAINAGE AND REINFORCEMENTS.

NOW WE HAVE TWO FULL LANES GOING UP MOFALY HILL.

SO WE WERE EXCITED TO SEE THE COORDINATION COME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE IT WAS PAVED OVER NICE AND SMOOTHLY.

SO THAT PROJECT IS COMPLETE.

WE´RE HAPPY TO HAVE IT COMPLETED.

WE´RE HAPPY TO HAVE THE CONTRACT THAT WAS CHOSEN.

SO HOPEFULLY WE´LL SEE THEM WIN MORE PROJECTS LIKE THAT AND HAVE OUR COMMUNITY IMPROVED.

>> SO WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF FUNDING SOURCES.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS IS THE ONLY ENTITY THAT HAS ALL FOUR OF THE MAJOR RECOVERY FUNDING SOURCES PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.

YOU HAVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FUNDS, MITIGATION FUNDS, CBDG FUNDS, AS WELL AS FEDERAL HIGHWAY EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU´RE DOING THERE.

>> SO THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY FUNDS, WE HAVE $20 MILLION DESIGN BILL CONTRACT THAT´S FUNDING A SERIES OF LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN.

AND SO JUST BELOW THE FIRESTATION, WE ARE REPLACING A CONCRETE ROADWAY.

AND ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, WE´RE GETTING READY TO START ANOTHER SITE LOCATION TO DO SOME RETAINING WALL CONSTRUCTION.

>> HERE´S WHAT THE PROJECT MANAGER HAD TO TELL US.

>> THIS IS THE PROJECT SITE.

AND WHAT HAPPENED HERE IS WATER WASHED OUT THE ROAD AND UNDERMINED THE ROAD.

SO WHAT WE´RE DOING IS EXCAVATING THE ROAD, REBUILDING A RETAINING WALL TO SUPPORT THE WASHED OUT AREA.

AND REPLACING THE CONCRETE ROADWAY, PUTTING IT IN EXTRA DRAINAGE TO CONTROL THE WATER FLOW.

SO WE EXPECT IT WILL TAKE ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FINISH THE PROJECT.

WE´RE TRYING TO GO AS FAST AS POSSIBLE AND MINIMIZE THE IMPACT TO THE PUBLIC.

THE FARMERS WILL BE ABLE TO TRAVERSE AND YOU DON´T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE.

HOPEFULLY WE´LL FINISH IN THREE MONTHS.

>> NOTICE HE SAID HOPEFULLY.

I´M GOING TO SET MY CLOCK.

THIS IS REALLY GOOD NEWS FOR THAT AREA.

I MEAN, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THIS IS AN AREA THAT HAS GOT AN LOT OF COMPLAINTS.

>> YES.

SO DIRECTOR, I THINK THE BEST PART ABOUT THIS REALLY IS WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT THE CONTINUED DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, THAT MAKES THE INFRASTRUCTURE LAST LONGER.

RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS.

SO FOR THEM TO HEAR THAT THERE´S A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AND THERE IS DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT, THERE SHOULD BE A LOT OF EXCITEMENT.

THIS IS AN AREA WITH A LOT OF FARMERS, AND THEY CAN´T HAVE WARBLED OUT CROPS.

>> THE SAME CONTRACT THAT ISLAND ROADS CORPORATION IS WORKING ON, THEY ARE INSTALLING THE CONCRETE WALL AND THEY SHOULD BE COMPLETED THIS SUMMER, AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAD OUR PROJECT MANAGER THAT ALSO TOLD US ABOUT THIS.

>> IT´S PART OF AN EMERGENCY STORM DAMAGE REPAIRS CONTRACT.

SO WHAT´S HAPPENING HERE IS THAT THE ROADWAY WAS SINKING DOWN, SO IT WAS BREAKING AWAY AND SINKING.

SO WE HAVE TO EXCAVATE AND PUT IN A RETAINING WALL TO HOLD THE ROAD FROM GOING DOWN.

IT´S GOING TO TAKE ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE THIS ONE SITE.

BASICALLY WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED, YOU´RE GOING TO HAVE A BRAND NEW ROAD, STABLE, NOT WORRIED ABOUT IT SINKING UNDER YOUR WARS.

SO IT´S GOING TO BE SMOOTH, NO POTHOLES.

THAT´S PRETTY MUCH WHAT THEY´RE DOING IS TO STABILIZE THE ROAD TO MAKE SURE IT WILL BE THERE FOR A LONG TIME.

>> THAT STABILIZATION DISCUSSION AND THE FACT THAT THE WORK THAT WE´RE PUTTING IN NOW SHOULD LAST.

AND I KNOW THAT WITHIN YOUR DESIGN, THERE´S A LOT OF WORK THAT´S BEING DONE TO CREATE THE RESILIENCY.

TELL ME ABOUT HOW THAT IS BEING DONE TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY THAT WE NEED.

>> SO WE -- WHEN WE DESIGN ROADWAYS NOWADAYS, WE ADD GEOTEXTILE MATERIALS TO STRENGTHEN THE ROADWAYS.

WE CONSIDER WHAT THE SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS ARE, AND WHAT THE TRAINAGE CONDITIONS ARE BEFORE WE DO THE DESIGN SO WE CAN INCORPORATE THE NECESSARY TECHNOLOGIES TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A MORE RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN TERMS OF TIME?

BECAUSE WHEN WE HAVE THIS MONEY, AND WE´RE READY TO START TO SEE YOU MILLING AND GET THING STUFF DONE, WHAT KIND OF TIME IS EVOLVED IN DESIGN?

>> DESIGNS TYPICALLY CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM -- DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE PROJECT, A FEW MONTHS TO MAYBE A YEAR OR A YEAR AND A HALF, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE PROJECT.

>> WOW.

>> YOU CAN HAVE A MORE BASIC QUESTION FOR HIM, SIDEWALKS.

WHERE WE CAN, ARE WE CONSIDERING SIDEWALKS IN OUR DESIGNS?

>> YES, WE ARE.

ESPECIALLY IN OUR DR PROJECTS.

WE ARE INCORPORATING SIDEWALKS INTO THOSE PROJECTS.

>> THAT´S FANTASTIC.

>> IT´S ALL ABOUT WALKABILITY.

>> YOU WANT IT, YOU GOT TO PAY FOR IT.

BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO OTHER PROJECTS, LET´S FIND OUT WHAT RESIDENTS THINK ABOUT YOUR -- WHAT YOUR PRIORITIES SHOULD BE.

SO WE ASKED THEM WHAT HURRICANE DAMAGED ROADS ON ST. THOMAS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE REPAIRED?

HERE´S WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

>> MY DEPARTMENT IS IN BAD CONDITION.

THE WHOLE STREET, YOU KNOW, HAS A LOT OF DAMAGE.

WHEN IT´S RAINING, IT´S NOT DRAINING PROPERLY.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THAT AREA COULD BE EXED.

>> NUMEROUS ROADS ALL OVER THE ISLAND, ESPECIALLY IN THE HILLS.

NO PAVEMENT MARKINGS.

>> THE ROAD GOING UP THE HILL INTO ALTUNA, BY THE CEMETERY.

AND THE REASON I WOULD LIKE IT REPAIRED IS BECAUSE I TRAVEL THAT ROAD EVERY DAY.

>> THE ROAD I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FIXED IS THE WATER FRONT ROAD.

THAT TAKES YOU ALL THE WAY DOWN.

THERE´S A LOT OF POTHOLES, UNEVEN ROADS, WHICH HAVE OTHER CARS TRYING TO SWERVE OVER INTO YOUR LANE WHEN YOU´RE GOING UP AND DOWN.

>> SKYLINE DRIVE, AND ALTUNA, THOSE AREAS I FREQUENT A LOT.

IT´S VERY UNEVEN.

A LOT OF POTHOLES.

AND THERE´S LITTLE TO NO MARKINGS ON THE ROAD.

IT´S GOING TO BE VERY HARD TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN SWITCHING LANES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHAT I HEARD TOO ALTUNA, SKYLINE DRIVE.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING IN THE WORKS FOR THOSE AREAS?

>> DIRECTOR, THE AMAZING THING IS JUST TO LISTEN TO PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT.

WE KNOW THERE´S SO MANY PROJECT THAT IS ARE COMING, WHETHER IT´S THROUGH THE DRER OR THROUGH OUR LOCAL FUNDING.

ALL THESE AREAS HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED.

MR. McCLAIN HAS BEEN MAKING SURE TO KEEP -- SAFETY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CONSIDER.

NOT ONLY FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BUT PEDESTRIANS, AS WELL.

>> SO YOU HAVE PROJECTS ON THE BOOKS FOR DUNU.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> SO WE HAVE OUR VARIOUS LARGE PROJECTS SLATED FOR DUNU.

IT´S CBDG FUNDED PROJECT THAT´S GOING TO TAKE CARE OF REPAIRS FROM THE DUNU ROAD TO THE -- CONNECTING WITH THE BYPASS ROAD.

SO THAT PROJECT IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF DRAINAGE SITUATIONS, DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS.

NEW PAVEMENT, OF COURSE.

IT´S ALSO GOING TO BURY THE UTILITY LINES.

IT´S GOING TO INCLUDE NEW SIDEWALKS.

>> THIS SOUNDS COMPLICATED.

YOU´RE DOING MITIGATION.

NOT JUST REGULAR MILLING.

WHAT TIME FRAME ARE WE LOOKING AT HERE?

>> WE´RE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY A YEAR FOR THE DESIGN TO BE COMPLETED.

AND THEN WE ANTICIPATE IT WILL BE A YEAR AND A HALF TO TWO YEARS FOR CONSTRUCTION.

>> WHAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IS PUBLIC ROADS VERSUS PRIVATE ROADS.

EVERYONE THINKING THAT THEIR ROADS SHOULD BE PAVE.

ARE THE ROADS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS?

>> THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION, BUT TO BE SUCCINCT, NO.

THERE ARE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ROADS.

WE DO HAVE RESIDENTS IN SOME OF THE PRIVATE AREAS THAT WILL PETITION THE LEGISLATURE TO HAVE THEM -- OFTEN TIMES, THEY WANT PRIVATE ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS BECAUSE THEY´RE IN DISREPAIR.

>> I KNOW THAT WORK IS BEING DONE ON IT.

SO GIVE ME A LITTLE UPDATE, WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE DONE SO I DON´T HAVE TO DRIVE TILL DUSK.

>> THE CARLTON ROAD IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN JULY.

JULY OF THIS YEAR.

>> THAT´S GOOD NEWS.

WE STARTED BY THE SITE.

SO I SPOKE TO THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER ABOUT THE PROJECT, AND HERE IS WHAT HE REPORTED.

>> THIS IS A FEDERAL PROJECT FOR THE COMPLETE RECONSTRUCTION.

THE PROJECT LIMIT IS ON THE NORTHERN SIDE WITH QUEEN MARY HIGHWAY, TO THE SOUTHERN SIDE, FOR ABOUT 0.9 MILES.

THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE, RECONSTRUCT THE PAVEMENT.

THAT IS WHAT YOU DRIVE ON.

ADDRESS DRAINAGE ISSUES.

ADDRESS SAFETY ISSUES.

SO WHEN IT IS COMPLETED, WE EXPECT ROADWAY THAT WILL GIVE US A LONG SERVICE LIFE.

THE ORIGINAL END OF CONSTRUCTION DATE IS JULY 9th.

BUT BECAUSE WE HAD A FEW CHANGES ON THE PROJECT, IT´S GOING TO GO SLIGHTLY BEYOND THAT.

IT´S GOING TO BE A COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION FROM THE RIDGE NATURAL CARLTON ROAD.

I WOULD JUST ASK THAT MAKE AN APPEAL FOR MOTORISTS TO SIMPLY USE IT SAFELY AND ABIDE BY THE SPEED LIMITS ON THE ROADWAY.

BECAUSE WE ALREADY SEE THAT AS A PROBLEM.

>> THAT´S ACTUALLY EXCELLENT NEWS THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN.

YOU´RE NOT PUTTING IT BACK TO WHAT IT WAS.

YOU´RE GETTING DRAINAGE AND MITIGATION.

YOU KNOW, WE ASKED FOLKS ON ST. THOMAS ABOUT WHICH ROADS THEY WANT FIXED.

WHAT DAMAGED ROADS WOULD YOU LIKE REPAIRED, AND HERE´S WHAT A FEW OF THEM SAID.

>> KING STREET OR ALL THE ROADS IN FREDERICK STEAD.

I THINK IT´S VERY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF ST. CROIX NEED TO TRAVEL THESE ROADS ALSO.

WE HAVE A CRUISE SHIP THERE, AND PEOPLE COME IN, INTO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THIS IS THEIR FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE PROPER ROADS FOR THEM, AND FOR US ALSO.

>> THE MAIN ROAD IN FRONT OF HOME DEPOT.

I THINK FROM EAST TO WEST, WHEN YOU ARE HEADING TO THE WEST SIDE, IF YOU COME FROM THE EAST SIDE, THE ROAD IS VERY TERRIBLE GOING TOWARDS THE PLANT.

AND I THINK THE ROAD SHOULD BE FIXED.

MOST OF THE ROADS, 90% OF THE ROAD IS FIXED.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT LITTLE SECTION OF THE ROAD?

>> THE ONE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE COMPLETED IS THE MELVIN EVANS HIGHWAY.

THERE´S A LOT THAT´S BEEN DONE ON IT, WHICH IS REALLY GOOD, BUT IT HASN´T BEEN COMPLETED.

AND THERE´S SOME TERRIBLE, DEEP RUTS IN THAT ROAD.

PEOPLE DRIVE PRETTY FAST ALONG THERE.

IT´S A MAJOR ROAD, A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON IT GOING BACK AND FORTH.

PEOPLE WORKING, GOING TO WORK.

I JUST THINK IT´S PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT ROAD ON THE ISLAND RIGHT NOW.

>> WELL, THEY MADE MY LIST.

WE ALSO NEED A SPOT ON THE HIGHWAY.

YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING ELSE IS SMOOTH EXCEPT FOR THAT AREA.

I REALLY WANT TO KNOW, SO UPDATE ME AWAY.

>> I´M PLEASED TO REPORT THAT ALL THOSE AREAS MENTIONED ARE BEING ADDRESSED.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, FOR THE PEOPLE IN FREDERICK STEAD, WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND HEARING, AND RELIEF IS ON THE WAY.

I´M HAPPY TO REPORT, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE ARE BREAKING NEWS ON YOUR SHOW.

WE ISSUED NOTICE TO BEGIN PAVING ROADS, SO WE WILL BE ADDRESSING THAT, AND THE PEOPLE WILL HAVE SOME RELIEF AND THEY WILL BE BEGINNING THAT IN EARLY JUNE, COINCIDING WITH THE WRAP-UP OF THE OTHER PROJECT.

SO WE´RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

AS WELL AS HOME DEPOT, WE WILL BE GOING BACK OUT THERE.

>> SO CLIFTON HILL, IT´S GOING TO INSTALL TURNING LANES.

>> YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!

WE´RE GOING TO GET A TURNING LANE THERE.

THERE´S A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THAT HIGHWAY.

THIS IS FANTASTIC NEWS!

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET SOME WORK STARTED?

>> WE´RE GOING OUT TO BID THIS SUMMER.

SO BY THE END OF THE SUMMER, INTO SEPTEMBER, WE SHOULD BE IN CONSTRUCTION.

>> WE TAKE NOTES HERE, SO YOUR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM MANAGER ALSO TOLD US ABOUT THE HIGHWAY PROJECT.

SO WE´RE FACT CHECKING YOU AGAIN.

LET´S HEAR WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> THIS PROJECT IS TO REHABILITATE AND RECONSTRUCT THE PAVEMENT ON THE HIGHWAY.

THE PAVEMENT ONLY THE HIGHWAY HAS DETERIORATED OVER THE ENTIRE NINE-MILE LENGTH.

AND WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WE ARE DOING THESE IMPROVEMENTS IN PHASES TO REMOVE THOR IRREGULARITIES ON THE PAVEMENT.

PRIOR TO THIS, YOU HAD AREAS ALONG THE CENTRAL MEDIAN WHICH WATER CORRECTED.

THAT´S GOING TO BE A THING OF THE PAST, AS YOU SEE, WE ARE ADDRESSING THE WEST BOUND LANE, WHICH HAD A NUMBER OF IRREGULARITIES, AND PROGRESSIVELY, WE ARE DOING IT INCREMENTALLY, UNTIL WE GET TO WILLIAMS DELIGHT, WHICH IS THE WESTERN LIMIT OF THE PROJECT.

ONCE THE PAVEMENT IS ADDRESSED, WE´RE GOING TO PLACE THE TRAFFIC SIGNS AND REFLECTORS AND MARKERS ALONG THE ROADWAY.

SO IT´S GOING TO BE A COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION.

AND IT´S GOING TO BE A SAFER DRIVE IN TERMS OF THE DRAINAGE ISSUES ARE GOING TO BE ADDRESSED.

PAVEMENT ISSUES ARE GOING TO BE ADDRESSED.

SO SAFETY IS GOING TO BE APPROVED TREMENDOUSLY.

>> WELL, THIS IS ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD NEWS OVERALL.

GETTING THE HIGHWAY PROJECT.

I REMEMBER ON A PREVIOUS SHOW, I THINK THE EXPLANATION THAT YOU GIVE WHY IT WAS DONE IN PIECES, LET ME CHECK HERE, I THINK IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THE WORK STARTED, YOU PUT THAT OUT TO BID IN SEGMENTS, AND THOSE WERE READY.

>> THAT´S CORRECT, THAT´S CORRECT.

SO WE HAVE ONE MORE SEGMENT TO GO, WHICH IT WOULD BE FROM WILLIAMS DELIGHT TO GOOD HOPE.

THAT SEGMENT, THE DESIGN IS BEING WRAPPED UP AS WE SPEAK.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE FINISHED IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE WEEKS.

THEN WE HAVE TO GET APPROVAL FROM THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY, WHICH SHOULD BE IN SHORT ORDER AFTER THAT.

SO THAT PROJECT SHOULD BE OUT TO BID IN THE SUMMER, AS WELL.

>> OKAY.

REALLY GOOD NEWS FOR THE SUMMER.

AND THEN THAT WAS EXCELLENT NEWS, COMMISSIONER, ABOUT FREDERICK STEAD, AND YOU´RE GETTING READY TO PAVE, AND THE COORDINATION THAT´S HAPPENING WITH THE WATER REHABILITATION PROJECT, BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF STRESS PLACED ON THE PEOPLE OF FREDERICK STEAD, RELATIVE TO ALL THE DULS AND -- ALL THE DUST AND INCONVENIENCES FROM THAT PROJECT.

SO WE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THE WATER REHABILITATION PROJECT.

AND HERE´S THE UPDATE.

>> TODAY, WE´RE HERE TO SHOWCASE THE FREDERICK STEAD PROJECT, PHASE TWO, WATER REHABILITATION.

THE PROJECT STARTED IN FEBRUARY OF 2020.

DUE TO COVID DELAYS, WE´RE WAITING FOR MATERIALS.

SO GROUND BREAKING STARTED IN MAY.

WAFA INTENDS TO INSTALL APPROXIMATELY 2,900 LINEAR FEET OF SIX-INCH PIPE AND 13,000 FEET OF TEN-INCH PIPE THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

THIS INCLUDES ADDITIONAL 400 BOXES FOR SERVICES.

70 WILL BE BURY IN THE GROUND SO WE CAN CHANNEL THE WATER.

WE´RE GOING TO INSTALL 17 NEW FIRE HYDRANTS THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM.

TO ASSIST FIRE SERVICES.

THIS PROJECT HAS SEVERAL BENEFITS.

WE WILL BE REPLACING THE DELAPIDATED WATER LINES FROM THE ´50s AND MAKE OUR SYSTEM MORE RELIABLE.

AND LASTLY, MORE ACCURATE BILLING FOR THE CUSTOMERS.

THIS PROJECT WAS GRANTED BY A GRANT FROM THE PFA, PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY, AND THE CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT DRINKING WATER THROUGH DPNR.

PRESENTLY, THE PROJECT IS AT 95% WE EXPECT TO COMPLETE BY MAY 31 OF 2021.

>> THE WATER LINE IS BEING FINISHED MAY 31st.

WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE DAYS LEFT IN THE MONTH, AND WITH YOU´RE GETTING READY TO START TO PAVE THOSE ROADS OF JUNE 1st.

CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING TO THIS POINT.

I KNOW IT WAS A LONG HAUL.

>> IT´S A LOT OF COORDINATION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES.

WE ARE MEETING, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE´RE DOING CONSTRUCTION, WE´RE INCONVEIENING THE PUBLIC AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

I WANT TO THANK WAPA.

THEY´RE ALWAYS REACHING OUT.

BUT WE´RE BEGINNING TO SEE THE FRUITS OF THE LABOR.

>> WONDERFUL.

I´M GOING TO SWITCH HERE.

THE EAST CIDERS MUST BE REPRESENTED.

WE HAVE THE NORTH SIDE HIGHWAY PROJECT.

I HEARD A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME THAT -- >> WE´RE HAPPY TO DO SO.

>> THE PROJECT IS CBDG FUNDED PROJECT.

WE WENT OUT FOR SOLICITATIONS FOR A DESIGNER.

WE REQUESTED SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS, WHICH MR. GRIFFITH WAS KIND ENOUGH TO DONATE TO US.

>> IT´S OUR PLEASURE.

SOZ THAT PROJECT WILL INSTALL NEW SIDEWALKS, DEFINITELY IMPROVE THE WALKABILITY AND THE PROJECT STARTS FROM THE LORAIN INTERSECTION AND HEADS NORTH AND EAST UNTIL WE GET TO BOSTON TRIANGLE.

SO IT´S A VERY LONG PROJECT.

IT ALSO WILL BE I DRESSING UTILITY RELOCATIONS AS WELL, SO THERE WILL BE NEW UNDERGROUND ELECTRICAL LINES, AS WELL.

AND BUS STOPS.

>> SO HE GAVE US THE WHOLE GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS THING.

THE GOOD NEWS IT WILL COVER ALL OF THESE SIDEWALKS.

BUT HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE, THOUGH?

>> SO BEING THAT THE PROJECT IS MUCH LARGER THAN THE ST. THOMAS PROJECT, IT´S PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS FOR CONSTRUCTION.

SIMILARLY, THE DESIGN WILL PROBABLY BE AROUND THE YEAR, BUT CONSTRUCTION WILL BE JUST OVER TWO YEARS.

>> SO ONE OTHER QUESTION FOR THE EAST SIDERS.

ROAD ISSUES, DRAINAGE ISSUES, TELL ME WHERE WE ARE, WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME, AND WHEN CAN THE PEOPLE ON THE EAST END GET SOME RELIEF?

>> WE HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS ON THAT.

WE HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROJECTS SLATED.

WE HAVE A FEDERALLY FUNDED HIGHWAY ROAD PROJECT, WHERE THE CONTRACT WAS JUST EXECUTED THIS WEEK.

SO CONSTRUCTION SHOULD START IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

SO THAT WILL ADDRESS THE BAD ROAD CONDITIONS, LEADING TO THE DOCK.

WE ALSO HAVE A GALLOWS BAY MITIGATION PROJECT THAT´S GOING TO LONG-TERM ADDRESS THE FLOODING CONCERNS IN THE ENTIRE AREA.

SO THAT PROJECT IS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PROCUREMENT RIGHT NOW FOR SOLICITATION OF DESIGN, AND THEN CONSTRUCTION AFTER THAT.

>> VERY GOOD NEWS.

WE SPOKE WITH THE COMMISSIONER AN THE GALLOWS BAY PROJECT, AND IT WHAT IT WILL DO FOR BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA.

SO LET´S HEAR WHAT HE SAID.

>> WE ARE HERE AT THE BAY AREA HERE, WHERE DPW HAVE A MAJOR PROJECT THAT´S ABOUT TO GET STARTED.

THE PROJECT IS APPROXIMATELY A $ 2.4 MILLION PROJECT.

IT´S TO CORRECT THIS LOCATION.

FOR YEARS PEOPLE HAVE TRULY SERVED FROM THE DUST, FROM THE FLOODING.

AND, YOU KNOW, FROM ALL THE OTHER CONDITIONS HERE.

WE FINALLY GOT THE FUNDING TO CORRECT THAT ISSUE.

THE FUNDING IS GOING TO COME FROM OUR FEDERAL HIGHWAY, FOLKS.

IT SHOULD ENHANCE THIS AREA AND MAKE A MAJOR IMPACT.

THE ISSUE HERE HAS BEEN CONSISTENT FLOODING.

AND, AGAIN, THE ROADWAY HAS BEEN HORRIBLE.

OVER TIME, IT JUST DETERIORATED.

MY MAINTENANCE GUYS, WE COME HERE AND WE DO BASIC CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE OVER AND OVER.

BUT IT DOESN´T LAST.

IT DOESN´T LAST BECAUSE OF IF FLOODING ISSUES THAT WE HAVE HERE.

SO THIS PROJECT, WHICH IT´S GOING TO BE TO CONCRETE THIS WHOLE ROADWAY, IT´S ABOUT 1200 FEET OF ROADWAY BY THE BYPASS, AND IT´S GOING TO COME DOWN TO THAT AREA, AND JUST SLIGHTLY GO AROUND THE BEND ABOUT 70 FEET.

SO IT´S GOING TO BE GREAT FOR THE RESIDENTS HERE.

GREAT FOR THE BUSINESS FOLKS HERE.

IT´S GOING TO BE VERY SPECIAL.

WE ARE PROUD TO REPORT THAT THESE FOLKS ARE GOING TO FINALLY GET SOME RELIEF.

THE GOVERNOR IS TOTALLY HAPPY RIGHT NOW WITH THIS PROJECT.

WE ANTICIPATE THE SHOVEL WILL BE IN THE GROUND END OF JUNE, EARLY JULY.

SO YOU WILL SEE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS HERE, AND IT WILL BE A MAJOR PROJECT FOR THE FOLKS HERE.

SO WE ARE VERY EXCITED.

PUBLIC WORKS, WE´RE ALL EXCITED.

MY BOSS, THE COMMISSIONER IS EXCITED.

ALL THE FEDERAL GUYS ARE EXCITED.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR IMPACT FOR THE FOLKS HERE IN GALLIS BAY.

>> THE THEME IS EXCITEMENT.

THE OTHER THEME IS RESILIENCY.

YOU SEE IT IN THESE PROJECTS.

WE´RE USING THE MONEY, MAKE SURE WE´RE FRYING TO DO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

WE´RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS HAVE A RESILIENCY COMPONENT, AND GETTING OUT TO AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR RELIEF FOR SOME TIME.

>> THIS IS A PRIORITY, WHERE THE GOVERNOR HAS GIVING US MANDATES.

AND ROADS ARE ONE OF THE TOP AREAS.

IT´S HOUSING, ROADS, THERE´S POWER, THERE´S EDUCATION.

ALL OF THOSE HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNOR, AND HE´S PUSHING THOSE PRIORITIES TO GET THE RELIEF FOR THE PEOPLE.

THIS IS WHO WE WORK ON BEHALF OF.

YOU´RE DOING A LOT OF WORK, AND NOT ONLY ON JUST THE ROADS, BUT YOU HAVE AN OFFICE OF THERE THAT YOU´RE REBUILDING.

AND ALSO YOU HAVE BORDER MOUNTAIN ROAD PROJECT.

SO TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE WE ARE WITH THOSE PROJECTS.

>> SO ONE OF THE THINGS I BELIEVE IN, DIRECTOR, IS TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STAFF, OUR TEAM, IS REALLY TAKEN CARE OF.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE TRIED TO DO INTERNALLY, NOT TO MESS UP YOUR PRIORITIES, SO TO PRIORITIZE OUR PROJECTS, AS WELL.

TO MAKE SURE THEY FEEL THE LOVE.

SO THAT´S ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID.

WE CLEANED UP AFTER THE HURRICANE, AND WE´RE ADDRESSING IT ON THE OPERATIONS SIDE.

YOU KNOW, DIRECTORS, IN ST. JOHN, WE ARE OUR FOOT PRINT.

NOT ONLY DOES DPW HAVE TO BE THE LEAD ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE BUT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS WHAT IS DONE.

>> WHAT AREN´T THE OTHER PROJECTS?

>> THE BORDER MOUNTAIN ROAD PROJECT IS PART OF THE DESIGN BILL PROJECT FOR ISLAND ROADS.

ALSO THEY´RE GETTING READY TO START THAT.

THEY SHOULD HAVE STARTED THAT THIS WEEK.

SO THAT´S GOING TO ADDRESS A ROADWAY THAT WAS DAMAGED FROM THE 2017 STORMS.

AND SO THEY´RE GOING THE BRING RELIEF TO THE RESIDENTS.

>> VERY IMPORTANT.

AND HMGP HAVE A FISH FRY.

>> YEAH, WE WERE JUST AWARDED A MITIGATION GRANT TO ADDRESS, BUT IT´S FLOODING AND SHORELINE DETERIORATION IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA OF ST. JOHN.

SO WE´RE GETTING READY TO PUT OUT THE DESIGN OF THOSE -- OF THAT PROJECT, AS WELL.

SO WE HAVEN´T FORGOTTEN ABOUT ST. JOHN.

>> YES, YOU HAVE NOT.

THAT´S WONDERFUL.

SO I WOULD -- ALL OF THOSE, AND YOUR WORK ISN´T DONE IN WATERSHED.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

>> WHAT IS A WATERSHED?

>> IT´S A PARTICULAR AREA WHERE ALL THE RAIN WATER, IF YOU -- ALL THE RAIN WATT THEY ARE FALLS IN A PARTICULAR AREA, DRINS TO ONE PARTICULAR LOCATION.

SO THE BEST WAY TO THINK ABOUT IT, EVERYTHING THAT´S ON HILLS WILL DRAIN IN ONE PARTICULAR LOCATION TO THE SEA.

SO WE BROKE UP OUR PROJECTS BY WATERSHEDS.

TO THE GREATER CUZ BAY, OUR FIRST PROJECTS WE PUT OUT TO BID IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS.

>> WE ARE ABOUT TO GET SOME FUNDING FROM FEMA FOR THOSE ROAD PROJECTS.

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING, BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE OTHER BATTLES TO FIGHT.

FEMA IS SAYING SOME OF THESE ROADS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

SO WE´RE KEEPING OUR EYES ON THAT, AND CONTINUING TO WORK HARD.

YOU DO HAVE, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE PROJECTS ARE JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

WE STILL HAVE ADDITIONAL PROJECTS.

WE COULDN´T CRAM THAT DOWN INTO ONE HOUR.

BUT THIS IS -- YOU SPOKE ABOUT A LOT OF HOURS, WHERE WE´RE GETTING A LOT OF RELIEF.

SOME OF IT IS GOING TO TAKE TIME, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO IT RIGHT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THOSE WATERSHED PROJECTS ACROSS HAS TREMENDOUS BENEFIT FOR THE TERRITORY.

AND IT´S JUST A FANCY WAY OF SAYING ALL THE ROAD PROJECTS.

WHAT IT ALSO DOES IS HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT MITIGATION, BECAUSE ALL OF THE DRAINAGE, JUST BY THE WAY YOU´RE LOOKING AT THOSE PROJECTS.

EXCELLENT.

SO MR. GRIFFITH, KEEP FUNDING IT.

>> I DEFINITELY WILL.

>> SO WHAT´S NEXT?

WHAT CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO FROM DPW FOR PROJECTS?

>> WE´RE ALWAYS LOOKING FORWARD.

WE´RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT SEVERAL PROJECTS.

OF COURSE, THERE ARE SEVERAL PROJECTS FOR THE DISTRICT OF FREDERICK STEAD.

WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, AND THE EXCITING THING FOR ME ABOUT THAT PROJECT IS IT IS PROBABLY 90% FUNDED BY THE U.S.

CORE OF ARMY ENGINEERS.

WE COMMITTED TO LESS THAN $200,000 FOR THAT PROJECT.

SO WE ARE EXPECTING THAT TO BE -- IT´S AN´T TWO YEARS OUT FROM THE RESIDENTS OF THAT FAMILY.

>> WHAT OTHER PROJECTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO MENTION THE >> THE MAHOGANY ROAD PROJECT.

WE HAVE COMPLETED A DESIGN FOR THAT PROJECT.

THAT WILL REHABILITATE THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF ROUTE 76.

WE ARE DOING SOME DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, AS WELL.

SO WE´RE JUST DOING THE LAND ACQUISITIONS RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE ACQUIRING TEMPORARY EASEMENTS.

ONCE COMPLETED, WE WILL BE OUT FOR PRODUCTION.

>> THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS.

AND I´M GLAD YOU SAID IT WAS MAHOGANY ROAD, SO WE CAN GO EXACTLY WHERE YOU´RE TALKING ABOUT.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> BUT YOU KNOW, DIRECTOR, THE GREAT THING ABOUT OUR RECOVERY, IT´S BEEN DOING BY LOCAL VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

SO THAT´S EXCITING.

WE´RE BUILDING OUR WORKFORCE AND IMPROVING THE TERRITORY.

>> EXCELLENT.

BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PROGRAM, WE WANTED TO WRAP UP AND FIND OUT FROM THE VIEWERS WHO REACH OUT TO US ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WILL ADDRESS TWO FACEBOOK COMMENTS, BOTH FROM LEROY GLENN, WHO ASKED ABOUT WHAT ABOUT AIR BRIDGES INSTEAD OF WALKING IN THE RAIN.

MY UNDERSTANDING, AND WE DID HAVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DOWD AND ALSO DAMIAN CARTWRIGHT, THE ENGINEER FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PORT AUTHORITY.

AND THE BRIDGES ARE IN THE THIRD PHASE OF THE PROJECTING FOR AIRPORT.

SO THEY CAN STAY ON STAND BY, BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE PLAN, AS AND MOVE FORWARD, YOU WILL SEE.

THE SECOND COMMENT SAID, I THOUGHT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES BUILDING HOMES, HOME OWNERSHIP, NOT PROJECTS ANY MORE.

I BELIEVE HE WAS REFERRING TO THEINJUNCTION.

>> SO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES BOTH.

WE´RE ALWAYS BUILDING HOME ORE ENSHIP IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

BUT PEOPLE NEED PLACES TO RENT AND LIVE, AS WELL.

SO WE HAVE THE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT FUNDS, WHICH GO TOWARDS RENTAL UNITS AND THE DISASTER RECOVERY.

SO IT´S A COMBINATION OF BOTH.

WE´RE GOING TO PUSH THEM ON THE SHIP, BUT WE HAVE TO DO BOTH.

>> IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE.

WE WORKED VERY CLOSELY TOGETHER.

BECAUSE YOU ARE THE ARK PEKTDS, DPW IS THE ARCHITECT OF RECORD.

ENGINEER OF RECORD.

AND WITH THAT, WE HAVE TO WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER.

AND I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR 100%, 120%, 150% COMMITMENT TO THESE TASKS.

WHAT IS YOUR PARTING WORDS, MR. McCLAIN?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS.

I THINK THAT GOING FORWARD, WE JUST WANT TO PREACH PATIENCE, AS WE´RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF ROAD PROJECTS IMPACTING ALL FOUR ISLANDS, AS A MATTER OF FACT, SO THERE WILL BE SOME INCONVENIENCES, AND WE NEED TO BE PATIENT GOING WARD.

>> Reporter: I GUESS FROM HE, IT´S THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO TO COLLABORATE WITH US BEHIND THE SCENES.

REALLY FOR THE PUBLIC.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT.

EVERYTHING THAT YOU´VE BEEN DOING, YOUR CONTINUED PATIENCE, AND KEEP REACHING OUT TO US.

WE HAVE AN EMAIL, CONTACT DPW, OR USE OUR SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

SHAMELESS PLUG.

YOU HAVE A JOB FAIR COMING UP.

>> YES, WE HAVE A JOB FAIR COMING UP JUNE 22 ON ST. CROIX.

IT WILL BE FROM 10:00 TO 2:00.

AND IN ST. THOMAS ON JUNE 24th FROM 10:00 TO 2:00.

IT WILL NOT JUST BE FAKE POSITIONS ALONE, IT WILL BE OTHER POSITIONS IN THE ENTIRE GOVERNMENT.

SO TO GET TO HOME OWNERSHIP, YOU HAVE TO HAVE WORK, AND THIS WILL HELP BRIDGE THE GAP, FROM EMPLOYMENT, INTO GETTING THE HOME AND IT´S JUST GREAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> AWESOME.

>> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS.

WE NEED RESOURCES.

YOU NEED PEOPLE TO DO THE WORK.

YOU CANNOT SPEND $8 BILLION WITHOUT PEOPLE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

IT WAS AN ANSWER 4R50U9 PLEASURE TO HAVE SOME OF THE HARDEST WORKING GENTLEMEN ON OUR SHOW TODAY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR A VERY, VERY INFORMATIVE AND MUCH-NEEDED DISCUSSION FOR MORE ROADS.

BUT WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME.

VISIT US ON LINE AND YOU CAN ALMOST KEEP THIS DISCUSSION GOING ON FACEBOOK.COM/WTJX.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.

>>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ONLY THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR UNDERWRITERS.