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Beef Island calming structure might be removed

The structure was installed last year August. Photo: VINO
Tre Erickson died following an accident along the stretch of road on Beef Island. Photo: Andre ‘Shadow’ Dawson
Tre Erickson died following an accident along the stretch of road on Beef Island. Photo: Andre ‘Shadow’ Dawson
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands News Online was reliably informed that the traffic calming structure constructed last year in the vicinity of the Terrance B. Lettsome International airport on Beef Island to curb racing, is likely to be removed by the Ministry of Communications and Works.

“The subject Minister, Hon. Mark Vanterpool is seeking the advice of the Public Works Department (PWD) to determine if that is the right approach because of where the structure is placed,” the official who wishes to remain anonymous revealed.

The official explained that Hon. Vanterpool has been receiving a number of complaints from motorists who bemoaned the fact that the calming structure poses a risk to drivers especially in the evenings.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying outright Hon. Vanterpool is going to have the structure demolished, he is just trying to find the best solution. But if he finds that there is a better option than the structure it will have to go,” the official said.

Former Minister for Communications and Works Julian Fraser, RA, had the structure installed in August 2011 following the death of Tre Erickson.

Erickson, 14, an Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) student, was allegedly racing with friends along the stretch of road at Beef Island on Saturday evening, March 26, 2011 when his scooter crashed. His left leg was severed from the hip in the crash between two motorcycles. He subsequently passed away in a Puerto Rican hospital on Monday, March 28, 2011.

22 Responses to “Beef Island calming structure might be removed ”

  • native son (30/01/2012, 08:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just another attempt to undo everything the VIP government done…NDP spiteful mehson
    • Crank Shaft (30/01/2012, 09:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      LOL! What has VIP done? Do tell!! Have you ever driven up there since that thing was erected? Did you even look at the picture? LOOK AT IT!! That thing cost us$50,000.00!!!! Every other Airport you visit around the world, they have 'slowing' speed bumps placed at intervals to keep traffic at certain pace. Similar to those devices at Delta Pasea, not really speed bumps, but the plastic mechanism to slow traffic down. A few of those could've been placed in that area for about $5,000.00 if so much! The thing looks UGLY and it's an accident waiting to happen. To be honest, if I was Mark, I wouldn't move it because it's so much money that would go down the drain. I would add proper lighting so that traffic coming from both directions can see it upon approach.
    • cool (30/01/2012, 10:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      why move it? So far, its there and nothign major has happened. this place really sickening! Mark would be sick if he thinks about moving it, it need to stay put! I bet if half of them see a similar structure in another country, they wont complain about it...but BVIslanders have a terrible mentality. ....
      • Crank Shaft (30/01/2012, 13:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Nothing major has happened in Purcell either, since there's been a gaping hole in the ghut, so I guess we should leave it opened just because? That's such a stupid thing to say! We should wait until something happen to excercise simple common sense? And you're saying if people saw it somewhere else etc. NOWHERE ELSE in the world you would see something so stupid, especially on an airport road NOWHERE!!!!!!! We paid over $50k for it and it should've included plants, maybe a TB Lettsome or BVI sign/statue etc. AND proper lighting! This was another Fraser blunder, even more stupid than the round-about traffic lights!
    • The Time has come. (30/01/2012, 17:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      SPITEFUL??/please u mean they applying common sense....we live in a new age and time, old ideas cannot and most of the time will not work for new age problems, sometime applying a little common sense to issues seems more practical.
      • talk that (30/01/2012, 20:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        "the time has come" talk all that now but hope when me time come to say what me got to say you aint man wid we....BAM
  • critic (30/01/2012, 09:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    now this would be a waste of money
  • Watching on.. (30/01/2012, 10:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    REMOVE IT FOR WHAT!!!?? PPL that blind that they cant see that big thing in the road in the evening?? Chupss. Where u speeding goin that you cant see that. Thats the point..to make you slow down and tek yuh time. I bet if you put speed bumps people goin kick up bout that to. Ppl asked for something to be done bout up deh...they did that. We still have complaints. You just cant please some ppl.
    • Crank Shaft (30/01/2012, 12:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      That area is very dark and it is HARD to see it. Remember it's not only locals driving there, tourists traverse the area as well so keep them in mind. It's a stupid structure, point blank!!!!
      • Spoons (30/01/2012, 18:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        How does it slow you down. I have never had to slow down to go around it. No doubt it just adds another obstacle and challenge for the racers
  • guess what (30/01/2012, 10:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    another idea is to probably add to it. have a monument of T. Lettsome, just like Lloyd's added in the middle. or perhaps, a sign of some sort...."Come Back Soon...Thanks for visiting the BVI"...."Shhh, let's keep it a Secret"....something.... to give it a better look, somehting that as you see it from a distance, you cant wait to see what it actually says...just my 2 cents..
    • not bad (30/01/2012, 14:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      tru, tha dont sound bad at all
    • road runner (30/01/2012, 19:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank you for visiting Natures Little Secret can go to the front going into the airport, and Welcome to Natures Little secrets at the back Like the one going into the Vere Bird International Airport hmmm
  • No need (30/01/2012, 11:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is no need to remove this at all. If people cannot see it at night and cannot drive around it then they should not be on the road at all. There are plenty of reflectors on it, it is easy to drive around people here just need to understand that change is an imortant part of life, the traffic island was put in place for a reason and quite frankly more needed to be added on the same stretch of road and by the college.
    • steups (31/01/2012, 09:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @no need, the thing is oddly shaped and in the middle of the road. At night there is little light in the area and your birght lights must be on to pick up the reflectors from an acceptable distance to avoid hitting it. At first no attempt was made to widen the road or fix the area surrounding it then the area was poorly paved. I'm not sure which was worse. You are to pass between some yellow iron posts in the ground (the purpose of which I don't understand) and the edge of this monstrosity. Half the time people will speed on the right side of the thing, i.e. on the other side of the road to get around it. It is a collossal waste of money primarily because it does not slow down traffic. Speed bumps would have been cheaper and also would have WORKED!
  • UNDER THE ROCK (30/01/2012, 15:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    AT LEAST THEY COULD HAVE PUT A LITTLE LAND SCAPE INTO THE MIDDLE TIS SO UGLY WITHOUT IT
  • road runner (30/01/2012, 19:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The only people complaining is them who does have racing in the night, and the fools who go to watch them. Have they found the other youth who were involved in the accident with the Erickson boy. I think it should have been narrower on the sides.
  • sad event (30/01/2012, 20:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i still cry every time i think of Erickson untimely death....RIP
  • Move It (30/01/2012, 20:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope that ugly structure is removed, it does not make any sense. Eveytime, I pass it, I fuss to myself how stupid it is and how ackward it looks in the road. I am sure there is a better solution.


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