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Upper Main Street to become a two-way street

-conversion effective June 1, 2025
As of June 1, 2025, Upper Main Street will be configured into a two-way street to alleviate congestion in the capital, Road Town. Photo: Miinstry of Communications and Works
Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), Minister for Communications and Works, stated that this initiative, to convert Upper Main Street into a two-way street, is in response to ongoing traffic challenges which were observed since the implementation of the Road Town Traffic Turnaround in June 2020. Photo: Facebook
Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), Minister for Communications and Works, stated that this initiative, to convert Upper Main Street into a two-way street, is in response to ongoing traffic challenges which were observed since the implementation of the Road Town Traffic Turnaround in June 2020. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As of June 1, 2025, Upper Main Street will be configured into a two-way street.

This is according to information from the Ministry of Communications and Works in a press release on Friday, May 9, 2025. 

It explained that this is part of the Upper Main Street Initiative, aimed at alleviating congestion in the capital, Road Town, and enhancing mobility throughout the city center. 

Ministry is responding to traffic challenges- Hon Kye M. Rymer

The project’s primary goals are to enhance traffic efficiency and mobility throughout the capital; improve road safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians; and implement essential road repairs, resurfacing, and drainage system upgrades to mitigate flooding.  

Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), Minister for Communications and Works, stated that this initiative, to convert Upper Main Street into a two-way street, is in response to ongoing traffic challenges which were observed since the implementation of the Road Town Traffic Turnaround in June 2020. 

"While we have seen improvements to the traffic flow, certain areas, particularly the junction of Flemming Street and Fishlock Road, still experience significant congestion during peak hours,” he said. 

Over 2000 newly licensed vehicles in 4 years

Hon Rymer added that the number of licensed vehicles in the Virgin Islands surged from approximately 17,350 in 2020 to about 19,500 in 2024. 

This, he said, added “pressure to our road infrastructure. To address this, the two-way traffic configuration will be applied to the stretch between the Road Town Methodist Church Burial Ground at Joe’s Hill and the intersection of Main Street and Flemming Street near the E.A. Creque building. 

Exercise caution & patience

The decision also aims to provide a more direct and flexible route, redistributing traffic volumes and easing congestion during busy travel times, the release added. 

In order to facilitate this new traffic flow and ensure safety for all road users, parking will be prohibited. Local businesses along this corridor have already been informed of that decision.

Motorists are also being encouraged to exercise caution and patience during this transition period, as new signage will be implemented. To ensure a smooth rollout, officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and traffic wardens will be present to assist.

31 Responses to “Upper Main Street to become a two-way street ”

  • ok (10/05/2025, 08:44) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good move. Instead of having to drive by fire station and turn left to go back cemetery to Jose hill we can use this lil change on Fleming to main
    • Yow (10/05/2025, 23:47) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      Now let's make the street by simply delicious a 2 way drive too, so one can turn right off the highway inturn easing the round about
  • Guest (10/05/2025, 08:46) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    When will the experiment end?
    • @guest (11/05/2025, 18:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Many of us have simply had enough. All the experiments are doing is to only create more problems with road traffic in Town, especially at the roundabout. There is always a higher risk of near misses and accidents as a some don’t have a clue as to how to change lanes before and end up doing so while going around the roundabout. To get to any place that is a short distance away, can be punishment in terms of distance and traffic at times because of the one-way street situation. Don’t talk about coming downhill from Bougainvillia and having to turn right in a bigger vehicle. To hell with it all and just allow traffic flow to go back to how it was, before the scientific geniuses entered the lab.
  • Parent pick ups (10/05/2025, 09:31) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Require parents picking up children from schools to use parking provided and not block roads and this wouldn’t be required.
    • @Parent pick ups (11/05/2025, 08:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      They are not the only problem. People who leave their cars in the middle of the street because they going to “pick up something really quick” are annoying too.
  • HMMM (10/05/2025, 09:51) Like (23) Dislike (40) Reply
    Why aren't we going the Bermuda route? Establish a 1 car per household policy and a stable, comprehensive public transport system. Why are we struggling with a problem that someone else has already solved?
    • Bree (10/05/2025, 12:04) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      This seems to be the best option, but some greedy taxi men and selfish persons wouldn't let this happened. Too many vehicles in this place and when the no longer can drive, they dispose them along the way like paper. Drive thru some neighborhoods and you can see for yourselves. Some of them park up their like they are some kinds of attraction/souvenirs. We need a reliable public transportation system, operating thru out the island not just east to west but thru the countryside. Once this is established, this over congestion in the city will be at minimum. So please let put aside our greed and selfishness and do what's best the country. I can assure all of us will benefit from this.
    • One car to fool them all... (10/05/2025, 12:22) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
      Bermuda doesn't have people living way up all through the hillsides. While pub trans can certainly be improved in the territory, it would be absurd to go so far as to legislate a ban on more than one car.

      How would, for example, someone living way up above fish bay (far off ridge road and with no access down to blackburn hwy) catch the bus? Or perhaps someone at the top of Havers? Are they -whether rain or shine- to walk all the way down to the coast road? What about someone at the bottom of Cooten bay? Trunk? This list goes on...

      It would require a h3ll of a lot of buses and routes to pass through every nook and cranny of this country. And dont forget they would need to operate throughout the day and into the night...

      The requisite demand for drivers might be an effective way to reduce youth unemployemnt though. LOL
      • @ One car to fool them all (10/05/2025, 17:58) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        Exactly, people hear things that sound nice but fail to consider their practical implications. Utopian folly of man...
  • Bigger (10/05/2025, 09:57) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Great initiative. This means NO PARKING ABSOLUTELY on that portion of the road. Thanks Minister Rymer.
  • Old and Outdated (10/05/2025, 10:06) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    That ariel view hasn't been updated in over eight plus years for After Dark Night Club to still be listed on there.

    Pretty absurd for Town and Planning/Survey Department to not update and get new ariels done of Road Town, especially.

    Guess it's not important.
  • Josiahsbay (10/05/2025, 11:26) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is no way around it, the traffic congestion in Roadtown needs a major capital investment to alleviate it. Here are three things that will facilitate it:
    1) Proper bypass road
    2) Overpass road
    3) Peripheral Parking with shuttle service to the Road area.
    • @JosiahsBay (12/05/2025, 07:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      4). Develop and implement a functional public transportation system so people aren’t forced to buy cars.
  • bvibuzz (10/05/2025, 12:13) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    kye ah wuk
  • chupes (10/05/2025, 12:17) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    Kye just acting like he doing something! Just move yuh Ms
  • hoping (10/05/2025, 12:33) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    There will be a side Walk also.....

    Remember some of us walk too ....

    We are call pedestrian.
  • Bigger (10/05/2025, 12:55) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    To Chupes. You must appreciate when the government takes a bold initiative to reduce road traffic congestion in Road Town.
  • 2024 (10/05/2025, 13:09) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    need to put back the flow of vehicular traffic how it used to be.
  • miss (10/05/2025, 13:30) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is goin to cause a backup of traffic by the intersection by the burial ground and up joes hill.

    While we’re at it let’s find a way to make the rest of mainstreet more pedestrian friendly. It’s a nightmare right now especially for tourists in wheelchairs.
  • NB (10/05/2025, 15:51) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    Boss man, this ain’t no solution meh bwoi. Put back the damn traffic how it used to be. Lord ave mercy. Me going 10 steps backwards everytime
  • Street parking (10/05/2025, 17:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    is illegal in the BVI but that law is never enforced so vehicles will still park on upper Main St. even if the street has 2 way traffic.
  • Madness (10/05/2025, 17:23) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Instead of doing that, why don't they just put things back the way they were? And now make the narrowest street on the island a two-way street?
  • @Bree (10/05/2025, 18:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why the government dont limit the car dealers who flooding the market and high prices where some people cant afford to buy do everybody ordering beforward cheeper.
  • LOL (10/05/2025, 19:04) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can we please stop the parking in front of the old hospital? Its a hazard. Police just need to go every morning for a week and do their job. Put tickets on each car all day for a week. Treasury will be happy and the road will be free of hazards
  • Pure @$$ishness (10/05/2025, 20:17) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    When the complex reopens it will be worst TRUST ME! PUT BACK the darm traffic how it was
    • BuzzBvi (11/05/2025, 08:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dont worry the complex not reopening until the airport is finished and then they will think about fixing the roads. We are going to need a major transports system of metros, buses, trams, then as they expect the airport to bring in an extra much need Half million people (500,000) a year. I'm guessing no hotels necessary so expect more campgrounds.
  • Parking (10/05/2025, 22:02) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Parking needs to be discontinued on Main Street first two way traffic to be successful
  • Okro (11/05/2025, 14:10) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    TWO WAY TRAFFIC SHOULD BE BETWEEN RUSH HOURS MORNING AND AFTERNOON AND ONE WAY AFTER RUSH HOURS
  • WOW (12/05/2025, 07:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    19500 vehicles registered in a land of maybe 40,000….with only about 100 miles of road.
  • smh (14/05/2025, 09:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    People still stop and park in front of Shabazz, several years later. How long will it take them to stop parking at the foot of Joe's Hill, in the intersection?


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