Advancing Airport Upgrades and Coastal Protection Work in USVI
We are excited to see the VIPA Board has approved millions in airport upgrades and coastal protection work In St Croix Source’s recent article (read it here),
The article reports that on St. Croix, the VIPA board approved work for airfield maintenance, removing rubber buildup and refreshing runway markings at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, to ensure continued safe operations. For St. Thomas, the board authorized funding for the final design of a new Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) station at Cyril E. King Airport. This approval allows the project to move forward to detailed design and engineering so construction can proceed. In addition, the board approved a contract for professional services to complete an environmental assessment and prepare a design-build package for shoreline stabilization at Cyril E. King Airport.
What caught our eye was the reporting from Preston Beyer, director of engineering, in regards to significant capital commitments for the region! St. Thomas–St. John District has obligated under active construction projects is $96,473,727.97 and the total cost the Engineering Department in the St. Croix District has obligated under active construction projects is $44,595,111.01.
VIPA also shared that tourism infrastructure remains a key focus and mentioned an introductory meeting with Seaborne Airlines as the “beginning of a collaborative relationship to support air service operations and strengthen connectivity for the Virgin Islands.” Seaborne Airlines was bought over this year and the new owners has been rebuilding its fleet and its reputation, starting with a new Twin Otter aircraft and plans to add more, what company President and CEO Darrell Richardson called “a resurrection” of the Virgin Islands’ only seaplane carrier. To read the article about Seabourne’s ‘resurrection’ under new owner and prioritizing expanded services, check out the US Daily News article here.
