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New designs set to bring VI sidewalks up to 'international standards’- RDA

Pedestrians and road users are set to receive relief as plans to upgrade the sidewalks on DeCastro Street, Norman Fowler Drive, and Nibbs Street are progressing swiftly. Photo: VINO
On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, members of the Road Town Partnership Board, along with key public sector stakeholders, conducted a walk-through and site visit to review the proposed sidewalk upgrade designs for these streets. Photo:Facebook
On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, members of the Road Town Partnership Board, along with key public sector stakeholders, conducted a walk-through and site visit to review the proposed sidewalk upgrade designs for these streets. Photo:Facebook
The committee Chair, Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith, and Co-Chair Ms. Lorna Christopher, along with representatives from several public sector entities—including the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Communications and Works, the Office of the City Manager, the Public Works Department, the Water and Sewerage Department, and the RDA Project Team—were part of the delegation for the site visit. Photo:Facebook
The committee Chair, Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith, and Co-Chair Ms. Lorna Christopher, along with representatives from several public sector entities—including the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Communications and Works, the Office of the City Manager, the Public Works Department, the Water and Sewerage Department, and the RDA Project Team—were part of the delegation for the site visit. Photo:Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Plans to upgrade the sidewalks on De Castro Street, Norman Fowler Drive, and Nibbs Street are progressing swiftly, the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) has said.

On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, members of the Road Town Partnership Board, along with key public sector stakeholders, conducted a walk-through and site visit to review the proposed sidewalk upgrade designs for these streets.

According to the RDA, the visit was part of the Road Town Development Project, which aims to enhance pedestrian safety, accessibility, and overall functionality.

New design to meet international standards 

The RDA stated that the new designs, developed by the Public Works Department, are intended to bring the sidewalks up to international standards, which include repairing pavements to meet ADA guidelines, installing drain grates to improve road drainage, and widening parking lot entrances where necessary to facilitate better traffic flow onto the main road.

"We ensure shared alignment on the design requirements and expectations that will shape implementation priorities" by reviewing the proposed plans with key stakeholders on-site, the RDA stated.

Site visit 

The Committee Chair Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), and Co-Chair Ms Lorna Christopher, along with representatives from several public sector entities—including the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Communications and Works, the Office of the City Manager, the Public Works Department, the Water and Sewerage Department, and the RDA Project Team—were part of the delegation for the site visit.

The RDA further stated that a subsequent meeting will be held with stakeholders from the business community.

11 Responses to “New designs set to bring VI sidewalks up to 'international standards’- RDA”

  • annudda2cents (08/01/2026, 10:16) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Many sidewalks need widening, raising, proper drainage/manholes, accessibility for disabled persons, and higher curb walls built to address motorists that love using sidewalks as a makeshift road.
  • Parking? (08/01/2026, 10:21) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Let's get parking to international standards too thanks

    Mutil level parking lots when?
  • E. Leonard (08/01/2026, 11:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Virgin Islands (VI) should have a codified road master plan, viz, street cross-sections, programmatic maintenance scheduling, sidewalks, drainage, disability requirements, etc. Sidewalks contribute to pedestrian use, safety, etc., a standard part of road projects, standard part of public right-of-way( ROW) in urban areas. Further, sidewalks are critical for connecting pedestrians and ensuring disability access .
  • My Dear (08/01/2026, 11:18) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The average person in these VI is wider than any and all, sidewalk.
  • Opps! (08/01/2026, 11:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks for letting us know that, but fill the many pot holes in the traffic road, please.
    Opps! I had almost forgot. Please, please, please, fix those deep and large pot holes next to Dr. Kendrick Pickering's home in the fat Hog's Bay area (7th district) the main road from or to the Terence B. Airport. They being ragged and waterfilled for more than six (6) months. And while you are fixing them, quick fix the others through the B.V.I, please.
  • What!! (08/01/2026, 11:50) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    FIX the ROADS
  • LOL (08/01/2026, 12:11) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    A set of waste of time people. Talk talk talk!!!!!!!!!!
  • great (08/01/2026, 12:29) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    But please don't allow the people who built the so-called sidewalks from Hannah's Bay, Sea Cows Bay to Island Department Store, they are useless.
  • We need water not side walks! (08/01/2026, 14:39) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    They paying attention to sidewalks when people can't take a shower at night because they turn it off before 7:30 nightly.
  • ummm? (08/01/2026, 14:40) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    YALL DONT THINK THE ROADS SHOULD GET DONE FIRST BUDDY?
  • sidewalks (08/01/2026, 16:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    what are they?


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