Upper Main Street to become 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.
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15 Responses to “Upper Main Street to become a two-way street ”
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
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.
1) Proper bypass road
2) Overpass road
3) Peripheral Parking with shuttle service to the Road area.
Remember some of us walk too ....
We are call pedestrian.
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.