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UPDATE - Calming device to be replaced with "raised crosswalks"

- Works Minister: Calming device removal not a 'dis' to Julian Fraser
The structure was installed last year August. Photo: VINO
Hon. Vanterpool stated that Dr. Glasgow will be spearheading the project.
Hon. Vanterpool stated that Dr. Glasgow will be spearheading the project.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool has confirmed that the calming device at Beef Island will be replaced with "raised crosswalks" at strategic locations with demolition on the device set to begin on Monday March 26, 2012.

The confirmation of this move was announced in a Government Information Service Press Release which stated that works are scheduled to begin on Monday, March 26 for a period of four weeks.

During this time, motorists and pedestrians are asked to exercise extreme caution and to adhere to all traffic signs and markings when traversing the area. The Public Works Department will make the necessary adjustment to ensure that traffic flows as free as possible.

Virgin Islands News Online first brought this issue to the forefront after Hon. Vanterpool had told this news site that he was planning to either remove the device or have it replaced following complaints from several persons.

He had told this news site that his decision to have it removed had stemmed from numerous complaints by motorists, and is in no way to undermine or disrespect the effort of the former Minister.

“We have had a lot of complaints. I myself don’t like it, so I have asked Public Works to review it,” Hon. Vanterpool disclosed to this news agency on Monday, February 20, 2012.

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 Rico hospital on Monday, March 28, 2011.

According to Hon. Vanterpool, he is of the view that it was a plausible undertaking but like anything else he added, “If something isn’t right, doesn’t fit, one should not be too big to make adjustments and we are prepared to do just that.”

“So it has nothing to do with [being deliberate] that at all. I think it was an effort to do what was expected. However, in my case it has everything to do with the public and we have to listen to the public and we are going to make an adjustment,” the Works Minister firmly stated.

The Public Works Department (PWD) had started some works on the design as to where the device (s) will be placed. Former acting director of PWD, Dr. Drexel Glasgow, was taking the lead on the project.

27 Responses to “UPDATE - Calming device to be replaced with "raised crosswalks"”

  • agree (22/02/2012, 07:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The inner part can remain. There is no problem with that portion
  • critic (22/02/2012, 07:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    last time ndp was in, they removed all the speed bumps in sea cow's bay to make fraser look bad....we had accidents right, left and center down there until them had to reinstalled them....so go ahead and remove everything fraser installed including all the traffic lights in tola and see where that gets you all
    • ooooo (22/02/2012, 07:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      where is the security council who asked for this calmer to be installed? and wasn't it the same drexel who designed it?
      • humph (22/02/2012, 10:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        it was the very same glasgow that assisted with the present design. We have more pressing issues to deal with than this one. Where is the danger in letting it remain? Who are the people complaining? Mark stop allowing people to have you like a fool.
    • driver (22/02/2012, 09:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      that thing was put there to put money in some one pocket, its a hazard a lot of partying goes on at beef island (i don't have to say no more to dat) some of u talking and had never driven pass it
    • the rock (22/02/2012, 15:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      u sound like an a$$...that thing needs to be remove all altogether...last time this..and last time that...the action man will coreect any mistake that was done in the pass..and that's the bottom line..cause the action man says so!!!
  • moo moos (22/02/2012, 07:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    st thomas removed all their speed bumps leading to the airport and now we here installing some
    • Black Eye (22/02/2012, 09:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Really. I drove to and from St Thomas airport just last week and I'm sure there are speed bumps there. Take a trip and see for yourself......
      • my two cents (25/03/2012, 12:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Tis thing should stay but what is the difference with the speed bumps?
  • Quiet Storm (22/02/2012, 07:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What were the complaints? Did the traffic calming device obstruct traffic, did it present a safety hazard, was it meeting the design intent, did curtail the racing, could it have potentially prevent serious injury or death, was it poorly designed, was it in the wrong location....etc.. Did the inconvenience of a few motorists force the removal? A little inconvenience to prevent serious injury or a fatality or for the safety and well-being of the public is a but small sacrifice to make. It is a small investment with potentially large return. It is admirable to listen to the public but strong leaders lead. Is this doing things right or doing the right thing?
    • hog city (22/02/2012, 08:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      mark soft...not a good leader...always backing up like a lobster....taxi men them have him one way
      • Truth Is (22/02/2012, 11:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Shut up you Ctitic of the 2nd kind. The thing is ugly and does not fit the script. Driving a big vehicle, when turning you end up on the grass because this thing is so big and stupid. I would remove just the outside part. It looks just like you Critic..big, bulky and stupid.
        • teacher john (23/02/2012, 04:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          My my children be nice the teacher will bring you an apple now!
    • bvi (22/02/2012, 10:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It was too big and ugly and it's taking up too much of the road, especially the west bound lane.
  • Village Girl (22/02/2012, 09:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The thing is needed but just poorly designed…another example of the failure of the lil guy with a phd who was moved from PWD!
    • humph (22/02/2012, 10:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      To village girl if Mr.PHd is to blame for the poor design why is Mark allowing him to design another? Further more isn't Mr. Phd a traffice lights engineer? Is this project within his level of expertise?
      • pwd (22/02/2012, 12:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Mark has to keep Dexel busy so he has to make it look like he has work for him…yea yea
  • mels (22/02/2012, 09:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    it may slow down the cars but the bikes would just ramp over them as always
  • God Help (22/02/2012, 10:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mark: leave the darn thing and go find some things more constructive to do. Speed Bumps are uncomfortable, this thing just slows u down, which is what u need, it causes no discomfort
    • the rock (22/02/2012, 15:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      who u calling mark...u trailer load of monkey piss...that's hon. to u!
      • do for do (22/02/2012, 17:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        TO THE ROCK: but you same cow birds use to refer to Ralph T. O'neal OBE as Uncle Ralph so scatter ayo one sided backside...MARK
  • optional (22/02/2012, 10:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the design of the calming device is totally awkward, i dont think that it should b removed, but redesigned as they say................ for me looking at it, it is to wide out from the center of the lanes, if u ask me.....all they have to do is reduce the width of the structure, probably in to the first oval where the grass is, and then put a small monument to represent something about the VI, and have it lighted with those solar lights so u dont have to run no power and add to much expense........just my opinion
    • egg face (22/02/2012, 14:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      i agree with you "optional"....
    • Logic (23/02/2012, 09:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      "Optional" the reason it has to be wide, it to avoid any possibility of a motorist getting a straight run. The way it is now, you must slow down if you are traveling at high speed. Right now if you are travelling at 20 MPH you don't have to slow down. If you narrow it that 20 MPH goes up to 40 MPH, and so on and so on, until you won't have to slow down at any speed at all.
  • God Dont Like Ugly (22/02/2012, 15:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr Glasgow is a bum. He was given the mandate to put down that device, and he did nothing to the road around it to make it function properly. He is so unambitious, he did not even see to the device being completed. While he was buisy trying to make the former minister look bad, the new minister was planning his distruction. Let him take that. There is not a DAM thing wrong with that device, NDP just trying to rub Fraser's nose in sh$t.
  • speech man (22/02/2012, 22:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Vanterpool full speed ahead going NO WHERE!!!! lawd ah mussy
    • ARRIVED (25/02/2012, 00:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      come on man he reached where he going..he wanted a ministry and he has it!


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