Gov’t addressing hurdles to fix access road to Long Bay Beach
The main access road to the beach passes through land owned by the Crown, a revelation made during the question and answer segment at the continuation of the Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands on, Tuesday, February 25, 2020.
The question about the fixing of the road was posed by Leader of the Opposition Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) to Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), who in response said, "As a result efforts are being made for the necessary consents and approval prior to completing designs."
"Mr Speaker, in the interim Public Works Department will continue to grade the road as necessary to enhance the conditions of the road on a needed basis," added the Minister.
‘Current method not effective’ - Hon Penn
What was surprising is the admission by third term legislator Hon Penn that such information about the road running through Crown land is news to him.
Nonetheless, Hon Penn went on to suggest that the methodology currently being used to grade the road is not very effective.
Hon Penn alleged that the backhoe goes and does a little "brush up brush up…and we don’t have proper grading.”
He suggested that a proper roller is used to reinforce the structure.
Hon Penn further explained that with quite some drizzles, "We are back to square one and we know that beach now on a weekly basis we get thousands of people, tourists and residents traversing back and forth.”
The beach indeed became one of the most go-to beaches, especially by cruise passengers, as it was one of few choices up and ready in the immediate aftermaths of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
Hon Penn urged that some level of drainage be developed along the road as he requested, for a later date, more details on the ownership of the road.
Meanwhile, Hon Rymer had also spoken about an extensive road rehabilitation drive across the Territory and which would also includes sections of the East End communities represented by Hon Penn.
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10 Responses to “Gov’t addressing hurdles to fix access road to Long Bay Beach”
Moreover, if the land is indeed crown land, what is the hold up again? Is this an administrative, not an engineering and construction issue. Is the the tall pole in the tent design and construction? Are not roads designed, constructed and maintained all the time? Here is a tip. Just grading the road is not very effective. Though it is a dirt or gravel road and temporary, it must still meet all the minimum design and construction criteria. In addition to grading, the road should have a crown with proper cross slope, effective road and other drainage and proper proof rolling. Does this project have even a tinge of politics? C’mon!