CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Kenneth Mapp said that he invites the community to learn more about the “exciting upgrades” planned for St. Thomas waterfront at a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday.
The official groundbreaking for the Veterans Drive Improvement Project is set for 10 a.m. on the eastern end of the waterfront near the Lover’s Lane intersection at William Hastie Park.
Governor Mapp said the project, which has been on the books for over 30 years, will transform the waterfront for residents and visitors, making it more pedestrian friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
Department of Public Works Commissioner Nelson Petty said the project will help to alleviate existing traffic congestion, provide future roadway capacity, improve safety for motorists and pedestrians, as well as help to better highlight important historical sites such as the Fort Christian Museum.
“This project received its first environmental approval in October of 1984,” Commissioner Petty said. “Over the past 34 years there have been numerous revisions leading to the final approval last year.”
The Veterans Drive Improvement Project consists of the construction of two additional lanes along the existing Veterans Drive and the construction of a pedestrian promenade supported by a new concrete sea wall. The project also includes bastion like projections at various locations along the promenade. Landscaping both on the promenade and in the new median, as well as enhanced pedestrian lighting will also be included.
Commissioner Petty said the first phase of the Veterans Drive Project begins near the Lucinda Millin intersection and ends just west of the Hospital Gade intersection (Fort Christian Parking Lot).
The Commissioner acknowledged that construction will mean some disruption and inconvenience to the traveling public.
“Please be patient as we work in this area,” Commissioner Petty said. “I believe these tremendous improvements to our infrastructure and waterfront will truly be worth any temporary inconvenience.”
