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Gov’t moving ahead with plans to re-route traffic in RT

- Waterfront Drive & DeCastro Street will allow for one-way traffic
A section of DeCastro Street which will be made into a one-way. Photo: VINO/File
The planned re-routing of the traffic to ease congestion in Road Town was first announced by Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) in the House of Assembly (HoA) on September 2, 2019. Photo: Facebook
The planned re-routing of the traffic to ease congestion in Road Town was first announced by Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) in the House of Assembly (HoA) on September 2, 2019. Photo: Facebook
Image showing the planned one-way traffic for Road Town as first announced on September 2, 2019. The red line indicates the one-way for traffic heading East on Waterfront Drive. The yellow line indicates the one-way for traffic heading West on DeCastro Street. Photo: Google Earth
Image showing the planned one-way traffic for Road Town as first announced on September 2, 2019. The red line indicates the one-way for traffic heading East on Waterfront Drive. The yellow line indicates the one-way for traffic heading West on DeCastro Street. Photo: Google Earth
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) who participated in the simulation exercise today, May 1, 2020, while delivering short remarks at the press briefing, gave the green light to the traffic route changes. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) who participated in the simulation exercise today, May 1, 2020, while delivering short remarks at the press briefing, gave the green light to the traffic route changes. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- After much consultations, dissemination of information to the public and feedback, the Government of the Virgin Islands has announced it is now moving ahead with plans to make a section of Waterfront Drive and DeCastro Street open only to one-way traffic.

This announcement was made earlier today May 1, 2020, by Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) during a press conference which followed a live simulation of the re-routing.

Solutions to traffic congestion in RT

The planned re-routing of the traffic to ease congestion in Road Town was first announced by Hon Rymer in the House of Assembly (HoA) on September 2, 2019.

"This project seeks to improve traffic conditions simply by re-routing traffic through Road Town, By converting Waterfront Drive and DeCastro Street to two-lane roads in one direction only, we will increase capacity of vehicular traffic," said Hon Rymer today.

Additionally, he said another lane will be added to Administration Drive in conjunction to a few tweaks to the design released and tested over the past two days.

Noting that the re-routing is one phase of a bigger traffic project under his ministry, Hon Rymer said, "We will have paid parking lots, we will add an additional lane on Waterfront Drive going west from Admin Drive and we will have free parking at the Festival Grounds that will co-exist with Festival and have shuttle service to Road Town."

Extensive educational campaign to follow

"Naturally, one of the main challenges associated with this type of measures is how well motorists can adjust to the new routes, therefore, we have started with this simulation today and will also afford for questions to be asked."

Hon Rymer said the project requires minimal funding, and it can offer a nondestructive solution; meaning there will be no significant alterations, if any, to the roads.

According to the Transportation Minister, there will be an extensive educational campaign to ensure persons transition into the new norm and comply.

Road Town, being the centre of commercial activity on Tortola, has developed significantly over the past decades. Like many developed and developing jurisdictions, this increase in commercial activities has generated an equally significant rise in vehicular traffic accessing the businesses.

Waterfront Drive, which is the primary roadway through the Road Town corridor, is a gateway that links the eastern and western sections of the island.

Meanwhile, Hon Rymer could not give a date for the completion of the re-routing phase but said it will be done before the year ends.

‘The traffic is free to go’

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) who participated in the simulation exercise today, while delivering short remarks at the press briefing, gave the green light to the changes.

"This has my full approval. Like everything, there will be teething pains. This is healthy, this is good, this is true democracy and this is what you call not mistaking listenership for leadership.

"The traffic is free to go," Hon Fahie said.

28 Responses to “Gov’t moving ahead with plans to re-route traffic in RT”

  • great (01/05/2020, 20:07) Like (37) Dislike (6) Reply
    Everything starts at a confusion and people will eventually adapt to it and it will become a norm. What I suggest to the govt is to clean up the market and remove people from selling under them tents turn it into a public Parking concrete it or fully graveled. I swear that’s the most ghetto and dirtiest part in the harbor of Road Town.
    • To great (01/05/2020, 20:30) Like (12) Dislike (17) Reply
      LOL well, if you think the market area is the dirtiest part in Road Town, something is definitely wrong with you LMAO
    • Road Town Rebel. (01/05/2020, 23:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @great... I agree with you, but as a move u ssd's made the powers that be, politicians and influential business people will bitch about people making a living. The area looks ffg disgusting.
  • Smith (01/05/2020, 20:09) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    Let’s try it before we complain and doubt it. This might end up being the best move to the traffic who knows.
    • Winston (02/05/2020, 05:32) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is a great start , but there other simple things that should be done.

      ( 1 ) Let cars turn left on a red light if there are no vehicles approaching .

      ( 2 ) Let the left westbound lane outside Tobacco Wharf keep flowing , rather than stopping on a red light to avoid everybody arriving at the roundabout at the same time.

      ( 3 ) Create pullout areas at the common passenger pickup spots. As most buses and taxies have their doors on the wrong side , this would make it safer for passengers and stop blocking one lane.
    • josiah'sbay (02/05/2020, 09:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      How about perimeter parking and internal shuttle service. What if government use available parking areas own by government or private leasing to gov. to park cars. Then gov. can establish an internal shuttle service to get you where you need to go within Road town and then shuttle you back to your parking lot for your car. Of course it may need to be subsidize (free) or at lease made affordable by gov.
  • Chuh (01/05/2020, 20:11) Like (19) Dislike (29) Reply

    Next thing the minister of transportation need to do is to stop them opposite side Japan vehicles from here. Not in the BVI

    • Bunk (02/05/2020, 06:28) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Right hand drives are for driving on the left side of the road.
    • josiah'sbay (02/05/2020, 08:48) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Actually, It's the side of the road we drive on that create the biggest problem. The vast majority of our cars are for right side of the road driving yet we choose to drive on the left side. Have you notice that we let our passengers off into the roadway which is a safety hazard. We should have switch side years ago before we started putting up traffic signal. It's still not too late but will be more difficult.
  • @ chuh (01/05/2020, 20:12) Like (15) Dislike (26) Reply
    Yes I hate to see them opposite vehicles here this is not the local culture in our island.
    • indee (01/05/2020, 23:46) Like (16) Dislike (6) Reply
      A type of car is your culture?? which part of Tortola manufactures automobiles?? sick of you now. Seems like your mom and grandmother used to get sex off from a man in a right hand drive car and that leave you traumatized. No matter where a steering wheel is in a car,its still a car at the end of the day. so be quiet please
    • @chuh (03/05/2020, 06:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Have you traveled anywhere other than STT & STX? Well I have. Everywhere I’ve traveled to the drivers are always Closer to the incoming traffic. See St. Marteen, Puerto Rico, America then look at down island, England, Australia. Tell me what side we should be driving on or vehicles with steering on what side should be imported here. One love
  • PLease!!! (01/05/2020, 20:14) Like (42) Dislike (11) Reply
    Clean up the market I agree it needs to be a public parking them tents and that selling do not look good in town. Leave panchie doe he’s a local
    • wise up (02/05/2020, 07:25) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      It really amazes me to see the low mentality of people,now because venders are now from here u want them to move and keep panchie but it’s the same venders u all lining up to go purchase produce from but just because he now from here it’s a issue wow just wow.
      Why can’t we just say let relocate these venders.
  • Agree (01/05/2020, 20:15) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    Yes the market need to turn to a parking and the market building need to be a tourism site or museum something. That selling needs to go it looks so tacky and not a good look for our capital
  • trrefdrfds (01/05/2020, 20:17) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply

    Them people run down that market square everyone got a spot in there have panty hanging on line for sale right in town yes. Get rid of it honorable rhymer

  • Think first (01/05/2020, 20:17) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    All you are going to do is dump traffic into the round about faster. So I hope you also have additional roads to take the traffic out of the round about. If there are two lane coming into the round about from west you need that additional lane from the round about going west also. Please think it through before tinkering with it. You need additional lanes one way or the other or you are going to create bottle necks especially at the round about.
  • lol (01/05/2020, 20:33) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am all for the idea but its amazing how we have so many "please support your govt and give it a try before you complain!" All of a sudden we have all these voices of reason when 2yrs ago they were the ones always complaining. It is really funny but good luck with these changes
  • Intel. Analysis (01/05/2020, 21:34) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    The rerouting of the traffic along the suggested route, which will include heavy-duty vehicles, such as concrete and gas trucks, trailers backhoes, vehicles transporting hazardous material (such as propane and gas) will take it through the heart of the main commercial area, which includes a major Super Market, Pharmacies, five Banks, restaurants, A Taxi Stand, and other businesses not forgetting a park and Administration Building. Mix this with other classification of other vehicles, persons conducting business in the area, and other road users. Couple this with traffic leaving the Cruise Ship Pier. Could you imagine a day in Road Town when there are two or three Cruise Ships in our harbor when the area is likely to be filled with passengers from these ships? I appreciate the consideration of the Authorities who obviously recognized the need to address the ongoing congestion of Road traffic in Road Town but it must be approached with a level head and careful planning. We could, of course, try it before we complain but we should not forget we did the same thing with the Stoplights which were erected on the Round About and caused us some embarrassment and traffic confusion. There is a law I believe which prohibited the movements of a certain class of vehicles on the road during specific hours, will that law be enforced? This is just my view who knows?
    • bb (02/05/2020, 11:17) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      There are way more important issues that should be addressed before getting involved with pet projects just to score brownie points. First thing that should have been done was make the round a bout smaller and create extra lanes for pull /drop off in order for the traffic to flow properly and the problem solved. Taking the heavy equipment traffic flow into bobby and the banks will not end well or even make sense as it is already congested. Did the government consult the public on this? Was a true traffic/road engineer involved in this dream? It's time to stop throwing money at simple problems that could be sorted out by just thinking things through properly first and stop trying to reinvent the wheel. We should really get honest with ourselves as Virgin Islanders and look at the budgets for the past lets say 20 years and realize the billions that has been wasted fixing the same things every week, month and year after year with no true results. What do we have to show for all the money that was blown? Can we look in the mirror and honestly say that we got value for the money that was spent and be proud of what all was done? It's time to stop playing games and get honest with ourselves and get the country fixed sooner rather than later before we all become beggars in our land. As you can see it's where we are headed too, once we start to slip on that slippery slope it ain't no stopping the slide. shine your eyes well my people ….. please ah beg.
    • Speaking of... (02/05/2020, 13:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Speaking of law prohibiting vehicles from driving at certain hours....I would hope that vehicles with loud mufflers, smoke from mufflers, abnormal noises are not licensed and prohibited from being on the road.
  • Show LOVE (02/05/2020, 01:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ Chun and @ Chun. You don't have sense and want to be like the americanl. When you drive on the left side of the road you're supposed to drive a right hand vehicle
  • change (02/05/2020, 03:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    If one live long enough you will see most things comes full circle. some of the drafted traffic changes are not new. Over the years Traffice have increased and the size of vehicles are now far bigger however the size of the roads have remained the same: one need to stop buses from picking up passengers in front of the new post office because it backs up traffic. Parking is an issue: there are no pull-off along the road ways so people stopping to pick up friends disrupt the flow of traffic: During rush hour might be better to have police or traffic wardens direct the traffic because the traffic lights actually brings the flow of traffic to a stand still. Change is a good thing let’s see how well is works: an emergency lane along the highway might be good but cant see that happening: some people need to slow down and stop driving while drunk/ more highway patrols and highway safety is important and enforcement of the traffic laws
    • change (02/05/2020, 10:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      so many years now but I think Main Street was two way traffic: at the intersection by cutlass building right turns were permitted; right turns were permitted on the road coming from midtown restaurant: changing the movement of traffic on the same road ways but expect different results one will see
  • Driver, Traffic experience, Suggestions (02/05/2020, 10:10) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    1 / The Traffic was flowing better at admin drive and wickhams cay before the new street lights, The green light is on for too long going in every area, allowing traffic to block up..all the lights need changing faster, this would decrease congedtion.....2/ We need pedestrian lights at all pedestrian crossing to control pedestrian crossing...Having pedestrianz crossing one by one every second is the biggest reason for traffic congestion, With the pedestrian lights, The lights can come on every 90 seconds for 15 seconds that will allow pedestrians to wait on the lights and cross in bundles, this will help the traffic flow greatly...3/ All those businesses on Flemming street with no parking, Is a problem, anyhow, nothing we can do now, we need a solution to accomodate them, I will suggest that it should be turn into a one way Street .. No entry from Main Street.. No Right Turn....3/ The Market and parking should be Fixed something like craft a live but in a more appropriate way to accomodate the type of venders and be rented..Leaving enough parking for vendors customers....4/ The no parking on the left hand side of wickhams cay oming towards the round about should be a 10 minutes pick up, drop off parking control by a meter, and an autonatic lock in...After 10 minutes vehicles are automatically locked in and have to pay the metre to be let out, the longer the more they pay.......Thats my contribution....Something definetely need to be done, its getting worst by the day...
  • Jus in time (02/05/2020, 23:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It will say this from now it will not work cause there 3 elephant in the room and until we are willing to fix them this is another fail experiment to fix this issue is going to require real money with real solutions you don't fix a real problem with white paint it eventually bleeds through this traffic jam to solve might hurt a good bit of persons for the good the nation so get real and have real solutions
  • Observer (03/05/2020, 12:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i really believe that the traffic is too much for DeCastro St. and should have been one way to Westbound on Waterfront Drive instead until stoplights. . Then let eastbound go onto Boo Bay drive from palm Grove and on Main St from the The Waterfront as well. Both one way only.
    • sooo (03/05/2020, 16:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      how that going wuk when they meet up by the round about, or you're thinking to change the east bound land to the west lanes? Now explain how the other lanes interacting with the west bound when that traffic using the blacknurne lanes between the round town round-about down to the Admin Traffic lights.


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