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More street lights coming in the many dark areas on the roadways

September 23rd, 2024 | Tags: street lights solar lighting Cox Heath Karl Dawson BVIEC
Bases for solar street lighting along The Buff on the western end of Tortola. Photo: VINO
A solar street lighting base along the roadway at Cox Heath on Tortola. Photo: VINO
A solar street lighting base along the roadway at Cox Heath on Tortola. Photo: VINO
Many of the street lights across the territory were destroyed during the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. Photo: VINO
Many of the street lights across the territory were destroyed during the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. Photo: VINO
LONG BUSH, Tortola, VI- Since the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, many fallen poles with street lights throughout the Virgin Islands have yet to be restored.

It has resulted in many dangerous dark areas on the roadways, both on the main and secondary roads throughout the Territory.  

The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has tried its best to restore street lights and has asked residents and elected district representatives for help in pointing out the many areas still to be addressed.

The Corporation, in the meantime, is continuing the solar lighting programme on the roadways.

Solar Street lights coming near you!

The Project cost and coverage are unclear at this time as up to the time of publication General Manager of BVIEC Dr Neil M. Smith and Deputy General Manager Symorne Penn had not responded to our request for their comments; however, work has started going west on The Bluff, on the main Island of Tortola, others on Virgin Gorda and some other areas in Road Town and Jost van Dyke.

The solar lighting project will see many solar streetlights installed in an attempt to restore the Territory to pre-Irma and Maria levels.

Many residents have welcomed the project as they have described the place as “still too dark”.

"It is a long-awaited project by the people of the First District and motorists to the western end in general. I appreciate and applaud the solar initiative and hope they will give sufficient light," First District Representative and Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Dr the Honourable Karl Dawson commented.

The First District Representative said 24 solar street lights are to be installed from Pockwood Pond to Cox Heath. "This is the single largest aspect of the project. They are currently building the bases and this aspect should take about a month. The entire project should be finished by year's end," Dr the Honourable Dawson informed.

26 Responses to “More street lights coming in the many dark areas on the roadways”

  • lower estate (23/09/2024, 09:48) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    The road between what use to be Lower Estate Superette and One Mart corner needs to be lit. It has been lacking proper lighting for years now and even though the different reps have been asked to light up the area, it has been going on deaf ears. We walk this path at night in darkness and pray for the best.
  • Poor Foundation (23/09/2024, 09:58) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    The foundations for all these 'new' streetlights are inadequate. An adequate streetlight foundation is an I-beam and rod steel reinforced concrete cylinder 4 ft in diameter and 16 ft. long with 8' ft below ground level and 8'above ground level protected with large rocks piled all around the concrete as 'shock absorbers'
    • @ Poor F (24/09/2024, 03:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dream on dude. You’re asking people to their job right. That’s too much work, requires paying attention and leaves less free money in the contractors’ pockets.
  • WHAT!!! (23/09/2024, 10:07) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    That’s really great , street lights so we can better see the pot holes at night.
  • 2024 (23/09/2024, 10:22) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    nice and could be nicer having law enforcement install cameras on the poles

    we truly need the highways light up for public safety
  • GPM (23/09/2024, 10:36) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Since they are running poles along that road, will they also run power lines? West End relies on that one line that runs over the hill and takes forever to fix given the location of the lines.
  • Headlines (23/09/2024, 10:58) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    B V I PREMIER TO LIGHT UP POTHOLES, THIS WILL ASSIST DRIVERS ON SEEING A POTHOLE AHEAD, TO ACCERERATE FAST AND FLY OVER THE HOLE AND NOT INTO IT.
    VISIT THE B V I AND HAVE FUN IN THE DARK
  • WTF (23/09/2024, 11:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are legally required to have lights on our vehicles. Fix the damned roads!!
  • please (23/09/2024, 12:00) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Motorists try don't run down this set please. if ya got to run down something aim for something else.
  • good (23/09/2024, 12:13) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good idea should've gone back a few feet from the road as ppl are prone to speed on that road comin n goin from west end
  • amazing achievements (23/09/2024, 12:38) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    this is such an achievement and it only took 7 years to do this. What a talent, what a technology, BVI is lightyears ahead of the rest of the world!
  • Shine Yuh Light (23/09/2024, 12:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    By the basketball court Gym in town needs proper lighting, that whole area there.
  • ccc (23/09/2024, 12:56) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    at least Kye wake up as he was sleeping
    • @ccc (23/09/2024, 14:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      You think so? I don’t. This is my opinion and my opinion only. Ok, y’all can start with the sucking of the teeth.
  • My say (23/09/2024, 13:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Then go ahead and get it done. To me, this is not news, JUST GO AHEAD AND GET IT DONE.
  • hummm (23/09/2024, 14:24) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Only 24?? We need MORE! And we need them all over! I know this is a start, but we do need BVIEC to keep doing this! Specially with solar power as will be more reliable than if connected to the grid!! Well done BVIEC!
  • Big Richard (23/09/2024, 15:25) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply

    just more light pollution. Turn on your headlights and stop the crazy driving

    • @Big Richard (23/09/2024, 18:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I have to disagree with your comment.we need those lights. Look at how dark some of the roads are. Yes I would agree there is a lot of crazy driving, we need lights on the road.
    • @Big Richard (24/09/2024, 09:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I disagree with your statement. We NEED the lights. It is very difficult to see by the Bluff heading to West End and to top it off you're also battling with drivers who refuse to turn off their headlights blinding you in the process. Yes, we are dealing with some reckless drivers, but it would be very beneficial for everyone if those lights are being installed.
  • Hmmmm (23/09/2024, 16:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why not fix what's not working first, why are things always backwards.... this should not even make news just what what needs to be done.... if you want make new import some solar lights for those areas which have none.... this minister don't think at all.
  • who did they work (23/09/2024, 16:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    the concrete and rebar work looks messy and below standard...DID ANYONE CHECK THE QUALITY OF THE WORK DONE? its not even elevated in case of FLOODINGS!
  • SEE HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE (23/09/2024, 16:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    https://images.app.goo.gl/puidTPcx5RtAYVsz6
  • BuzzBvi (23/09/2024, 22:43) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Future votes secured with these stupid contracts
  • FIRE (24/09/2024, 06:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What an ungrateful bunch we should be saying thanks to bviec for undertaking such a task with no assistance unlike many other departments in government. The pot holes have nothing to do with BVIEC so just THANKS. You’ll should be encouraging government to pay their outstanding light bill and stop paying their friends rent and mortgages
  • RedStorm (24/09/2024, 18:12) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well, when I saw the crazy measurements I wasn’t impressed,thought some youngster get jobs for the summer to hang wires for internet. I think four years from now they will dig them up to install side walks, as recreational area for walking, seems to me it will be a good props for political gimmicks.


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