>>> WELCOME TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF RECOVERY IN FOCUS, I´M YOUR HOST , ADRIENNE L. WILLIAMS- OCTALIEN.

AFTER THE STORMS, MANY OF OUR TERRITORIES ROSE TO DESPERATE STATE OF CARE.

OFFICERS CONTINUE TO LOBBY THE REPLACEMENT OF MANY OF OUR ROADS.

BUT OUR GUESTS TODAY ARE NOT LETTING THEM SLOW THEM DOWN.

THEY ARE ON THE MOVE.

THEY ARE EXECUTING PROJECTS AS HAS BEEN PRESSED PROMISED TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WILL TRY TO GET THE JOB DONE HERE BEFORE I INTRODUCE OUR GUEST ´S, LET´S GET THE LATEST NAMES ABOUT OTHER OUTGOING PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.

>> FROM THE WTJX STUDIO ON ST. CROIX, I AM LUISA ELLIS.

WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ARCHITECTS AS A PART OF THE DEPARTMENT AND OUTREACH DISCUSSIONS FOR THE FIRST LOOK AT THE DESIGN OF THE MEDICAL COMPLEX.

THE PRESENTATION BY PRINCIPAL STEVE JACKSON REVIEWS THE PROJECT COST AND TIMELINE.

ALSO INCLUDED IN THE DISCUSSION WAS A REVIEW OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

HERE IS WHAT PARTICIPANTS HAD TO SAY.

>> WE WOULD LIKE PEOPLE WALKING INTO THAT BUILDING TO BE ABLE TO FEEL BETTER.

WE WANT TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE ARE CARING FOR NOT JUST YOU BUT ALSO FOR YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO CARE FOR YOU AND PREVENT ILLNESS FROM OCCURRING SO THAT YOU ARE NOT HOSTILE ALLIES IN THE FUTURE.

>> THE GREATEST IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY IS WHAT WE ARE BUILDING.

IT IS WHAT IT REPRESENTS TO THE COMMUNITY.

THEIR INNOVATIVE IN THEIR TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR ABILITY AND DEDICATION TO THEM.

>> THEY SHOULD STAND FOR EXCELLENCE.

THIS CAN BE BEST SERVED AND THEY CAN ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY BY HAVING STATE-OF-THE-ART AND EFFICIENCY AND COMPEL OTHERS TO WANT TO COME USE THE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE CAN PROVIDE.

>> WE DEFINITELY WANT ONE PERSONS ARE SPEAKING ON HEALTHCARE THAT THE LEAST OF THEIR PROBLEMS IS THE STRUCTURE.

THE STRUCTURE AND THE SERVICES OFFERED HEARD MY GOAL IS TO HAVE ALL OF THOSE THINGS FROM INCEPTION TO CONCLUSION.

TO BE AS SEAMLESS AS POSSIBLE.

>> THE CURRENT FACILITIES WILL BE COMMENCES YEAR AND CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW CLINIC ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN 2023.

IT IS GREAT NEWS FOR RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN OF FREDERIKSTED AND THEY ARE WORKING TO COMPLETE A $2.6 MILLION RECOVERY PROJECT TO HELP RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN THE HOUSING COMPLEX.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER FOR THE AUTHORITY HAS MORE INFORMATION.

>> CONSTRUCTION BEGIN HERE ON DATE OF AUGUST OF 2024.

SO CONSTRUCTION IS CONTRACTED THROUGH DEMOLISHING OF CONCRETE DECKS AND REMOVAL OF THE CURRENT WINDOWS THAT EXIST AT THIS TIME.

AT THIS POINT, 16 DECKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED AND RECONSTRUCTED ALONG WITH NEW MIAMI WINDOWS AS WELL AS NEW FULL PANEL WALL THAT WAS INSERTED TO HARDEN THE STRUCTURE.

THE FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT CAME FROM FEMA AND --AT THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT RESIDENTS WILL HAVE A 45 HURRICANE PROOF HOME TO LIVE IN.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE, JASON.

ST. THOMAS FOR THE BROADCAST SYSTEM IN CAPACITY, RESILIENCE AND -- WTJX CELEBRATED THE FEMA RECOVERY PROJECTS .

THE CEREMONY HELD AT THE MOUNTAINTOP LOCATION AT AN INSTALLATION OF A NEW PDS.

IN THE 160 KILOWATT GENERATOR TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION OF SERVICES AT THE LOCATION IF IT LOSES POWER.

THERE WAS ALSO A COMPLETION OF TWO POWER PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE FCC.

THEY ALSO HAVE FEMA FUNDED PROJECTS TO REBUILD THINGS ON ST. THOMAS AND REINFORCE ENRICHMENT.

GOVERNOR BRYANT AND OFFICER OF THE DIRECTOR RECENTLY TRAVELED TO NEW ORLEANS TO MEET WITH RECOVERY OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS PACKAGES AND INITIATIVES TO MITIGATE AGAINST FUTURE WEATHER EVENTS AND RESILIENCY.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE WATER FORCE AND THE NEW ORLEANS DEVELOPMENT LEAD THROUGH THEIR DIFFERENT FACILITIES AND MITIGATION PROCESSES TO HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO PAVING .

THE TERRITORY WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OTHER RECOVERY COST TO EXAMINE DISASTER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES IN AN EFFORT TO CHALLENGE --LOBBY FOR REFORM AND SUPPORT OTHER INITIATIVES.

FOR MORE GOOD NEWS FOR FREDERIKSTED , THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS CONTAINING TO REINVENT PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE TERRITORY .

THEY RECENTLY HELD A PANEL DISCUSSION HOSTED BY CONTRACTOR AND THE INSTITUTE WHICH INCLUDED INTERVIEWS WITH 75 LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS ON THEIR VISION FOR FREEDOM CITY.

THIS ENDED WITH THE PRESENTATION OF PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AND THE NEXT STEP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OPENED UP THE SESSION.

>> THE PURPOSE OF OUR SERVICE PANEL IS TO TAKE ALL THE IDEAS AND FULFILL THEM AND BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH HOW ARE THEY ALREADY DEALING WITH THE ROOT DEVELOPMENT PLANS ?

HOW ARE WE INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT?

AND HOW WE ARE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT THAT WE ARE BUILDING OUR ENERGY EFFICIENT.

>> BUSINESS OWNERS, CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS ARE DOING BUSINESS WITH THE RECOVERY CAN VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR AN UPDATED LIST OF DETAILED INFORMATION RESEARCHING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CITY STATEMENT AND DEMOLITION.

AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE REVITALIZATION OF --AND THE COMPLEX.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, ON HOW TO GET ANNOUNCEMENTS AS WELL AS UP- TO-DATE NEWS ON THE TERRITORY, LOG ON TO WWW.USVIODR.COM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT WONDERFUL NEWS.

UNFORTUNATELY, MY COHOST IS UNABLE TO BE WITH US , DAYNA CLENDINEN .

THIS EPISODE, OF COURSE , FROM ROADS TO DESIGN , THE AGENCY DOES IT ALL.

WE ARE JOINED BY DIRECTOR , DEREK GABRIEL, CHIEF ENGINEER TAWANA NICHOLAS, AND HIGHWAY PROGRAM MANAGER JOMO McCLEAN.

SO, YOU´RE IN FOR A TREAT.

YOU´RE TRYING TO GET A LOT DONE I UNDERSTAND IT IS A LOT.

SO THANK YOU ALL FROM ME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

SO, BEFORE WE GET STARTED , YOU GUYS ARE ALL CLOSE, BEEN HERE BEFORE.

THINGS ARE GOING TO GET DONE .

WE WILL TAKE NOTES AND THEN COME BACK AND GIVE YOU A SCORECARD ON ALL THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING SO, HELLO, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU , MR. NICHOLAS.

THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME ON THE SHOW.

AND YOU ARE PART OF THE TEAM SO, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU, I AM THE CHIEF ENGINEER AT DPW.

I OVERSEE NOT ONLY ENGINEERING BUT THE CAPITAL PROJECTS.

THE GOVERNMENT ARMS, DPW ON THE GOVERNMENT ARMS SO NOT ONLY THOSE BUILDINGS THAT WE DO ALL THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PROJECTS.

SO, THAT IS PART OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

SO, WE OVERSEE , WE DESIGN AND OVERSEE THE THIRD-PARTY DESIGN.

WE TAKE IT THROUGH CONSTRUCTION SO THAT THEY ARE APPROVING THE ESTIMATE.

SO, WE ARE KEEPING OURSELVES A LITTLE BUSY FOR THE TERRITORY.

>> WONDERFUL.

YOU ARE THE LEADER OF THE DPW TEAM THAT IS ON THE MOVE.

IT IS GREAT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING.

JUST GIVE US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING.

>> WE HAVE BEEN GETTING PROJECTS DONE AND NOT ONLY MOVING THROUGH OUR PROGRAM BUT WE ARE GETTING PROJECT CONSTRUCTION.

IT IS A REALLY EXCITING TIME.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET A LOT OF OUR PROJECTS MOVING IN THE RESIDENCE ARE PRETTY EXCITED SO WE ARE HAPPY TO DELIVER.

>> I SAW THAT THE CAR SALESPEOPLE ARE SAYING , YOU KNOW, IT IS TIME TO BUY A CAR, RIGHT?

>> THAT´S RIGHT, PEOPLE ARE LIKE I DON´T KNOW ABOUT THAT.

IS IT A GOOD TIME TO BUY.

BUT IT IS REALLY A PLEASURE TO SEE SOME OF THEM DRIVE.

WE WILL HAVE A LITTLE MORE LATER ON AS WE GO TO THE STREETS TO GET A FEEL ABOUT WHAT THE WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE RESIDENT ON ST. CROIX TO TELL US ABOUT ONE OF YOUR MOST LONG-AWAITED PROJECTS.

>> I LIVE HERE IN THE BAY AREA WHERE THE ROAD IS BEING REPAIRED.

I´M COMING TO YOU GUYS TODAY ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENT HAS MADE WITH THE WATER SUPPLY.

A FEW YEARS AGO BEFORE THIS ROAD HAS BEEN STARTING TO GET BUILT, OUR WATER WAS ROUGH.

THIS WAS FROM THE COPPER AND CAST-IRON TIES THAT WERE IN THE GROUND.

AND NOW THE ROAD IS BEING REPAIRED.

IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE CHANGED OUT THOSE COPPER PIPES AND NOW THEY´RE PUTTING IN PVC PIPING WHICH NOW WE HAVE CLEARWATER, WE CAN COOK WITH IT, WE CAN BATHE WITH IT.

ALSO, WITH THE MOSQUITOES .

ANYBODY WHO KNOWS CARLSBAD KNOWS ABOUT THE MOSQUITOES.

EVEN THE SEWAGE, YOU KNOW, THE SEWAGE IS NOW A PLACE WHERE THE WATER IS NOT SETTLING.

BUT YOU KNOW, WE DON´T HAVE A RIVER FLOWING THROUGH.

WE DON´T HAVE A RIVER FLOWING THROUGH THE ROAD ANYMORE.

SO, I THINK THE ROAD IS DEFINITELY AN A+.

>> LOOK AT THAT.

YOU GET THAT A+ , JOMO, YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THAT PROJECT.

WE HAVE BEEN GETTING TESTIMONIALS AND YOU ARE TO THE POINT WHERE YOU ARE ALREADY FEELING THE BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT POINT >> WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THAT A+ MOMENTUM GOING.

THAT ROAD IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR.

LIKE THE RESIDENCE WE CALLED IN, SOME OF THE OLD LINES WITH THE PROJECT SO WE USE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS.

POSSIBLE AND USABLE FOR THE RESIDENCE.

>> THAT IS WONDERFUL TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE COORDINATED WITH THE OTHER FACILITIES TO ENSURE THAT YOU DO EVERYTHING THE BEST IN THAT AREA.

>> DO IT ONCE.

THAT IS NOT THE ONLY THING YOU ARE DOING, YOU ARE DOING A NUMBER OF OTHER PROJECTS THAT ARE BEING UTILIZED TO REVITALIZE ALL OF THOSE IN THAT AREA.

>> THIS PROJECT WAS FUNDED THROUGH THE HIGHWAY TERRITORIAL PROGRAM ON THE HIGHWAY FUNDS.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER FUND TO DO OUR COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING AND IMPROVEMENT THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY .

SO, THAT IS CURRENTLY IN DESIGN RIGHT NOW AND WE HAVE PLACED THAT.

THAT SHOULD BE WRAPPING UP AT THE END OF THIS YEAR WHEN WE MOVED TO CONSTRUCTION.

AS WE GO AROUND THE CORNER, WE ARE ALSO DOING THE LAGOON BRIDGE AND WE ARE ALSO DOING THE ROAD TO THE SOUTHEAST END ROAD AND THAT MIGHT BE THE PAVEMENT UNDER THAT CONTRACT.

SO THAT IS CURRENTLY IN DESIGN AND WILL BE COMPLETE AND IT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST AND THEN WE CAN GO TO RECONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BRIDGE THAT GOES OUT TO THE LAGOON AND WE WORK ON THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT THIS SUMMER AS WELL.

SO YOU CAN DO THE DRAINAGE INSTEAD OF THE DESIGN BUILD CONTRACTOR .

YOU KNOW, THAT IS A TERRIBLE ROAD, RIGHT?

YOU KNOW THAT RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> THAT IS A BAD ROAD THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR TO GETTING DONE.

BUT TODAY YOU ARE MEN AND WOMEN OF YOUR WORD SO WE ARE EXPECTING A LOT MORE TO GET DONE THAT IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG, RIGHT?

>> IT SURE IS.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE FUNDING TO GET THOSE PROJECTS TOGETHER.

WE TRY TO ADJUST THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS BUT ALSO COORDINATE WITH OUR UTILITY PARTNERS ON PROJECTS THAT AFFECT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

IT IS EXCITING.

>> ALL RIGHT, THAT IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

THERE ARE SOME MORE WORK AND SOME ARE ROADS THAT WE CAN DISCUSS.

>> WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ALL OF THE ROADS REPAVED THE ESPECIALLY THE ONES IN CHRISTIANSTED, DOWNTOWN CHRISTIANSTED AND COMING BACK FROM THE BAY, CANE BAY THAT ROAD IS AWFUL.

>> ONE ROAD I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS NORTH SHORE ROAD.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE ROADS THAT DESERVES THE UTMOST ATTENTION.

I WOULD SAY THE ONE I USE MOST OFTEN IS ACTUALLY RIGHT OUT HERE BY THE LAGOON COMING BEHIND THIS WHOLE SHOPPING CENTER AREA ON GALLOWS BAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, ON ST. CROIX, YOU HAVE BUMPY ROADS, TOWN, BUMPY ROADS, AND NORTH SHORE ROAD, BUMPY ROADS.

>> THE GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE PROJECTS FOR ALL OF THOSE.

ON NORTH SHORE IN PARTICULAR, THE DESIGN BUILD CONTRACTOR IS HAVING SOME SITES LOCATED ON THAT ROAD THAT THEY WILL BE WORKING ON SHORTLY.

THEY HAVE ALREADY , THE PLANS HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY FEDERAL LOANS AND IT WAS JUST REAPPROVED SO THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS.

NORTHSIDE ROAD IS A MUCH LARGER PROJECT .

THAT IS OUR CDBG FUNDED PROJECT AND IT IS CURRENTLY IN DESIGN.

IT IS 30% COMPLETE UNDER DESIGN AND HE IS MAKING SOME GREAT HEADWAYS.

PROJECT NOT ONLY LOOKING AT THE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION BUT ALSO LOOKING AT UNDERGROUND OF THE UTILITIES.

WE´RE LOOKING AT SEWER LINE IMPROVEMENTS AND REPLACEMENTS.

WATERLINE REPLACEMENTS AND INSTALLATION OF SIDEWALKS, BUS SHELTERS.

AND BUS STOPS AROUND THE ROUTE SO THAT IS A VERY COMPREHENSIVE PROJECT.

>> BUS SHELTERS, SIDEWALKS, WALK-UP SHOPPING , EVERYTHING ELSE .

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT FEELS GREAT TO BRING COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS BUT AGAIN, DIRECTOR, THESE ARE BEING BUILT AND DESIGNED BY --THIS IS WHAT WE TALK ABOUT ACTUALLY BRINGING THE RECOVERY HOME.

>> ALL RIGHT, PEOPLE ON THE WEST SIDE WILL NOT BE LEFT OUT.

SHE IS GOING TO BE VERY DISAPPOINTED, WESTSIDE.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THE HIGHWAYS?

SO, THERE ARE TWO PARTS.

THE HIGHER PORTION AND THEN THE PORTION FROM GOOD HOPE.

>> THE GOOD NEWS AGAIN IS THAT WE SOLICITED THOSE TWO SEGMENTS AND WE ALREADY RECEIVED BIDS AND CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN EXECUTED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN IN EARLY JULY.

SO, WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT WORD WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT CONTRACTORS.

WE HAVE SEGMENTS FROM GOOD HOPE TO --AND THE CHRISTIANSTED HEALTH SEGMENT.

>> IF YOU DON´T BELIEVE THAT THE FOLKS WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE HIGHWAY, TAKE A LISTEN TO THIS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE ROAD OVER BY THE HOME DEPOT IN THE CHRISTIANSTED AREA WE CAN CONTINUE THROUGH.

WE NEED A LOT OF IMPROVEMENT BECAUSE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WE SHOULD HAVE ALL OF OUR HIGHWAYS MAINTAINED.

AS WELL AS WORK WAYS AND BRIDGES AS WELL NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT I THINK THE HIGHWAY SHOULD BE MOST IMPORTANT BECAUSE THAT IS A WAY OF ACCESS TO AND FROM THE QUEEN MARY HIGHWAY.

THEY ARE MAINTAINING THE ROADSIDE NOW.

SO, IT IS A BETTER LOOK IN THE ENVIRONMENT SO WE KNOW WHEN THE PLACE IS CLEAR WE CAN SEE THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO KEEP THE ISLANDS BEAUTIFUL.

>> SO, YES.

THEY ARE VERY INTERESTED AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT THAT MOVING FORWARD.

LET´S SEE WHAT´S GOING ON.

SOMEONE ELSE ASKED ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> GOOD DAY, I AM JOHN PAUL DAVID, CONSTRUCTION MANAGER FOR THE PROJECT ON THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX.

WE ARE AT THE INTERSECTION OF -- FOR THE GEOMETRIC IMPROVEMENT OF THE INTERSECTION.

THAT IS TO SAY WE ARE GOING TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC LANE.

THAT WILL FACILITATE RIGHT TURN TRAFFIC WESTBOUND AS WELL AS EASTBOUND.

SO, THE COMPLICATION THAT YOU HAVE WILL BE GONE.

SO, THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE THIS INTERSECTION TO DO SOME IMPROVEMENT AND ALSO ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION TO THE EAST WHERE IT IS GOING TO GO TO THE HOME DEPOT INTERSECTION WHERE IT IS GOING TO TIED TO THE --FROM THE INTERSECTION.

AS WELL AS TO THE NORTH WHERE IT IS GOING TO EXTEND TO THE QUEEN MARY HIGHWAY INTERSECTION.

THAT IS AT LORRAINE.

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT FINALLY GETTING BACK UP AND RUNNING AND THE POTENTIAL THAT THAT BRINGS HER THAT ALSO BRINGS THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE A LOT OF TRAFFIC BACK INTO THAT AREA.

SO , I KNOW IT HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR A WHILE BUT UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP YOU HAVE GOT IT MOVING SO, WHEN CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE FOLKS OUT THERE FIXING THE ROAD FOR THAT PROJECT?

>> AGAIN, DIRECTOR, THERE IS A LOT OF MOVEMENT.

WE WILL SEE THINGS IN JULY.

WE SHOULD SEEK CONSTRUCTION AND ACTIVITY AND I THINK OUR RESIDENTS HAVE YOU IMPEDIMENTS TO TRAFFIC.

SO I´M ASKING YOU TO BEAR WITH US.

IT IS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE TERRITORY.

I PROMISE THAT IT WILL RESUME.

>> YOU HEARD IT.

THAT WORK IS ONGOING AND I KNOW THAT IT IS BEING COORDINATED WITH THE WAPA UNDERGROUNDING OVER THERE FROM MIDLAND AND THE UNDERGROUNDING THAT IS COMING UP FROM THE AIRPORT, YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT.

>> RIGHT.

>> WE ARE HAVING THE PROJECT SITE IN AND IT WORKS REALLY WELL.

>> THAT IS WONDERFUL.

CONTRACTORS ARE DOING A LOT OF THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO GET DONE.

AS WELL AS INFRASTRUCTURE.

YOU KNOW, YOU ARE COORDINATING WITH ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT UTILITY COMPANIES.

IT IS ALREADY AN INCONVENIENCE.

I´M LOOKING FOR ANOTHER HIGHWAY BEING FIXED.

I´M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO FIX DELAYS.

BUT HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THAT THIS DOES NOT INCONVENIENCE PEOPLE MORE THAN NECESSARY?

>> IT TAKES A LOT OF COORDINATION AND PLANNING.

COORDINATION AND PLANNING AND GETTING THE PUBLIC RELATIONS ASPECT OF IT SO WE CAN LET PEOPLE KNOW WHEN CERTAIN ITEMS ARE GOING TO BE CONTINUED SO THEY CAN USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.

>> AND YOU GUYS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB OF PROMOTING WITH THE PUBLIC.

THERE IS ANOTHER THING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I THINK THAT JOHN PAUL DAVID HAS SOME INFORMATION ON THAT AS WELL.

>> THE IMPROVEMENT WORK IS FOR PAVEMENT REHABILITATION, DRAINAGE, AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENT OF THE NEVILLE HIGHWAY AND THE EXTENT IS A 1.8 MILE SEGMENT OF THE ROAD FROM -- BOTH IN THE EASTBOUND TRAFFIC FOR THE EASTBOUND LANE AS WELL AS A WESTBOUND LANE.

IMPROVEMENT THAT I SAID, DRAINAGE WORK AND IMPROVEMENTS .

RECONSTRUCTION OF SOME AREAS OF THE ROADWAY.

AND THE OVERLAY.

THIS CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO --IN THE AMOUNT OF $12.5 MILLION.

CONSTRUCTION IS 180 DAYS.

IT IS FUNDED BY FUNDS FROM GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS WELL AS THE SOUTHERN HIGHWAY.

AND THE WORKS INVOLVED APART FROM THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE HIGHWAY, IT IS GOING TO BE UPGRADING THE STREETLIGHTS ON THE --INTERSECTION TO THE OTHER INTERSECTION.

WHEN THIS PROJECT IS FINISHED , THIS WOULD COMPLETE THE ENTIRE I´M .3 MILES OF THE MELVIN EVANS HIGHWAY.

>> OKAY, I´M GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIVISION HERE.

SO, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR US TO GET THE LEGS DONE ON THE MELVIN EVANS HIGHWAY?

>> IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO I KNOW THAT YOU FULLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LIGHTING THAT IS NEEDED FOR THE HIGHWAY GETS DONE MR. DAVID THOMAS.

THAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS PROJECT.

>> THAT´S RIGHT, WE HAVE INCLUDED THE FULL SEGMENT OF THE PROJECT ARE THE FIRST THING WE ARE DOING IS PERFORMING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING LINES AND SEE WHAT WE CAN REPAIR AND THE ONES THAT WE CAN REPLACE WE WILL GO AHEAD AND FINISH THOSE.

IT IS EXCITING, WE ARE GETTING THE LIGHT DONE FOR THE HIGHWAY.

THE RESIDENCE WILL NOT HAVE TO DRIVE IN THE DARK ANYMORE.

IT IS GOING TO BE A REALLY EXCITING TIME.

WE WILL GET THAT DONE.

ALL RIGHT, WE WILL WRITE THAT DOWN.

THAT IS PART OF THE TEST.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE LIGHTING TO GET DONE ON THE HIGHWAY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

AND WE ARE GLAD THAT DPW IS WORKING WITH THAT AND WORKING WITH THE CONTRACTORS.

OVERALL, DPW HAS COMPLETED SEVERAL PROJECTS IN THE RESIDENTS ARE HAPPY.

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING SO LET´S LISTEN TO IT.

END I LIKE THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE ON THE HIGHWAY.

AND THROUGHOUT SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN PRESENT, I HAVE SEEN THEM AROUND.

A LOT OF THE AREAS BEFORE THEY COVERED AND JUST SEEING PROGRESS.

AND AGAIN, WE DON´T WANT TO SEE IT TAKE TOO LONG.

>> THE WORK BEING DONE BY PUBLIC WORKS AT THIS POINT TO IMPROVE OUR ROADS IS PRETTY PHENOMENAL BECAUSE AGAIN, THAT DID NOT HAPPEN FOR QUITE SOME YEARS NOW AND I AM ECSTATIC THAT IT IS HAPPENING.

I LOVE IT.

AND, YOU KNOW, ONE CONCERN I THINK PEOPLE ARE SO UNUSED TO SLOW ROADS RIGHT NOW , THERE IS A LOT OF SPEEDING GOING ON RIGHT NOW BUT IT IS WONDERFUL TO HAVE THE ROADS BEING DONE.

>> I THINK THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKS HAS AND DOING A GREAT JOB.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF IT BEING DONE BUT I KNOW, YOU KNOW, PATIENTS BUT I DO APPRECIATE SEEING THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE.

I CAN SEE PROGRESS IS BEING MADE FOR RECOVERING FROM TWO CATEGORY 5 HURRICANES AND THEN COVID.

I THINK IT IS SLOW BUT I CAN SEE THE PROGRESS.

WELL, THAT MUST BE NICE TO SAY.

SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS SINCE OUR LAST SHOW FOR DPW.

FREDERIKSTED TOWN, THAT WAS A BIG DEAL AND WITH THE WESTSIDE .

BUT IT IS A TOWN, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE HAD A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN IN THE TOWN.

AND THAT WAS , TELL US WHAT WAS FOR FREDERICKSBURG TOWN.

>> WE FOUND A FEW SMALL ITEMS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE AND WE KICK THAT INTO HIGH GEAR AS WELL.

SO WE ARE WORKING ON THE DOWNTOWN AREA AND OF COURSE THAT WILL BECOME LATER THIS AREA LATER THIS YEAR RATHER, SO THAT WAS A COMMITMENT WE MADE.

WE WERE GOING TO DELIVER ON THAT ONE.

>> I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.

WE ARE OUTSIDE AND I KNOW THE DIRECTOR WILL BE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT WE ARE OUTSIDE AND THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, ARE WE GOING TO SEE KING STREET PAVED FOR CHRISTMAS?

>> YES, DEFINITELY.

>> ALL RIGHT, ANOTHER ROAD THAT WAS JUST A COMPLETE EYESORE AND TOTALLY BAD FOR DRIVERS.

THAT IS ANOTHER ONE THAT YOU CAN HANG YOUR HAT ON AND TAKE THAT OFF THE LIST.

AND WE WILL NOT HAVE MORE BUMS.

>> YES, WE RECENTLY COMPLETED THAT ROAD FROM ST. CROIX AND THE INSTALLATION OF THE PUMP AND THAT WAS THE LAST OF THE ITEMS SO NOW THAT PROJECT IS FULLY COMPLETED., YOU KNOW, OKAY, GREAT.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOMES AND THIS BIG BUMP?

>> THE HOMES ARE GRADUAL AND THE SPEED BUMPS ARE HIGHER AND MORE BUMPY.

I THINK MY RECOMMENDATION BE ONLY PARKING LOTS FOR SLOW TRAFFIC.

>> ALL RIGHT, VERY WELL.

AUDIENCE, YOU PASSED YOUR TEST FOR TODAY AND WE GOT A LESSON 101 ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEAT HUMP AND SPEEDBUMP POINT AND THEY ALSO HAVE FUTURE PROJECTS ON THE ISLAND.

SO, TALK ABOUT FREDERIKSTED, WE WILL TALK ABOUT MAHOGANY RUN.

MAHOGANY ROAD.

THAT IS ON ST. CROIX.

>> YES.

>> MAHOGANY ROAD POINT >> YES, MAHOGANY ROAD, PLANS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

THE DESIGN HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING THIS ACQUIRED.

WE HAD AN APPRAISER THAT HAS WEEKS AT THEIR DEBT DRIVING WITH PROJECT AND GETTING HIS APPRAISAL FOR THE TYPE OF FUNDS THAT WE WOULD NEED AND WOULD BE REQUIRED.

SO, THE REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION PHASE RIGHT NOW AND ONCE WE GET THAT COMPLETED WE CAN GET APPROVAL FROM FEDERAL HIGHWAYS TO DO CONSTRUCTION.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

I WANT YOU TO TAKE ANOTHER SECOND TO EXPLAIN WHY DO WE NEED THESE?

WHAT GOES IN THERE, YOU KNOW, WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL FOR YOU TO UTILIZE ANY OF THAT LAND FOR THE RESIDENCE?

>> SO, A LOT OF THE THINGS ARE NECESSARY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF DRAINAGE STRUCTURES SUCH AS PIPES THAT CONVEY THE STORM WATER.

SO, LEGALLY, WE CANNOT ENTER INTO A PERSON´S PROPERTY , THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY WITHOUT GETTING SOME TYPE OF LEGAL DOCUMENT OR COMPENSATING THEM USE OF THEIR PROPERTY.

SO, THAT IS WHY WE ARE IN THE PHASE RIGHT NOW OF GETTING THE APPRAISAL DONE TO FIND OUT, YOU KNOW, EXACTLY HOW MUCH THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY OF THE TEMPORARY EASEMENT IS REQUIRED SO WE CAN COMPLETE IT FOR THE RESIDENT AS WE TEMPORARILY USE THEIR PROPERTY.

>> WHAT THEY SAY NOW?

>> IF THEY SAY NO, THAT FURTHERED THE LASER PROJECT BUT ULTIMATELY, WE CAN USE THAT TO ACTUALLY ACQUIRE THAT EASEMENT.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT AND THEN YOU HAVE WORK THAT IS GOING TO GO ON .

WHAT ELSE DO YOU HAVE HAPPENING ON ST. CROIX?

>> THERE ARE SO MANY PROJECTS.

WE RECENTLY COMPLETED A PROJECT THAT WAS THE FIRST ONE WE DID WITH OUR LOCAL FUNDS AT 454.

WE ARE HAPPY TO DO THAT WITH OUR RESIDENTS.

THEM.

BRING THEM TO THAT AREA.

WE ALSO DID SOME WORK IN --AND WE ARE DOING SOME MORE WORK IN FREDERIKSTED AND LATER THIS FALL, WE WILL DO SOME MORE WORK IN CHRISTIANSTED AS WELL.

IT SHOULD BE PRETTY GOOD .

>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD.

YOU STILL HAVE THE FEDERAL HIGHWAYS AND 16 BRIDGES.

WHAT ABOUT THE BRIDGES?

EVERYWHERE WE SEE CONES AND BARRICADES ON THE ROADS.

HIS WORK GETTING STARTED THERE?

>> RIGHT.

>> IS IT GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> IT IS A COMBINATION OF BOTH.

SOME OF THE BRIDGES ARE IN SUCH POOR CONDITION THAT WE HAD TO DO TRAFFIC ON THE BRIDGES SO THE INSTALLATION OF THOSE BARRICADES ARE NECESSARY TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF VEHICLES THAT TRAVERSE THAT AT ONE GIVEN TIME.

BUT THEY ARE ALL EXPECTED TO BE SOME ARE MORE ADVANCED THAN OTHERS.

LIKE THE LAGOON BUT ALSO EAST AIRPORT AND MIDLAND BRIDGE IT IS IN FINAL DESIGN RIGHT NOW SO THAT RECONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN LATER THIS SUMMER.

THE BRIDGE ON QUEEN MARY JUST WEST OF THE COURT AND ALSO ON ROUTE 669 BY AGRICULTURE.

THOSE ARE A LITTLE FURTHER BEHIND .

THOSE ARE BEING MANAGED BY THE LINES AS WELL BUT THEY JUST COMPLETED THE SOLICITATION PACKAGE AS WELL AS TAKING THE TEMPORARY BRIDGES OVER THOSE BRIDGES SO THAT IT WILL ALLEVIATE OR REMOVE THE BARRICADES IN THE INTERIM UNTIL WE CAN COMPLETE THE FINAL PROJECT.

>> OKAY, I UNDERSTAND.

WHEN YOU SAY ROAD, YOU BETTER TELL US EXACTLY WHERE THAT IS GOOD >> WE ARE GOING TO HEAD OVER TO ST. CROIX AND SPEAK TO SOME MOTORISTS OVER THE AND SEE WHAT THEIR OPINIONS ARE.

AND WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE.

>> MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE LONG-TERM OF THE BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION.

BECAUSE WHAT I SEE IS THE ROAD IS BEING FIXED AND SOME OF THEM IN CERTAIN AREAS ARE BEING FIXED HOWEVER IT TAKES VERY LONG AND AFTER ONE YEAR BACK TO THE HOBBY ROADS.

AND I FEEL LIKE IF THEY ARE GOING TO COVER IT, THEY NEED TO HAVE A PLAN WHERE WHEN THEY FIX IT , WHEN THEY FIX IT, THAT IT WOULD STAY INTACT RATHER THAN COME BACK WITH POTHOLES AND SPEED BUMPS.

AND SOME OF THE SPEED BUMPS ARE TOO BIG.

THE CAR CANNOT EVEN GO OVER.

>> MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT ROAD AND THE WHITE LINE TO GUIDE , ESPECIALLY SENIORS.

>> OKAY, COMMISSIONER.

ALL RIGHT, SO, IT LOOKS BUSY ACCORDING TO THE LADY ON THAT SIDE, SHE SEES BUMPS.

BUT , YOU KNOW, SHE ALSO TALKS ABOUT MAINTAINING THE ROADS AND WHEN YOU FIX IT THAT WE CAN SEE SOME LONGEVITY IN IT.

SO WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC PLANS?

>> WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT, WE ARE PAVING THE ROAD AND WE HAVE IT SYSTEM THAT IS TAKING A REAL-TIME INVENTORY OF THESE ROAD SO WE ARE ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A PROBLEM MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE THAT TAKES EVERYTHING INTO CONSIDERATION.

SO, WE ARE DOING IT.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF ROAD REPAIRS AND OUR CREWS ARE GOING UP, ESPECIALLY ON THE ISLAND OF ST. THOMAS.

SO , WE ARE NOT DOING A FULL REPAVING BUT WE ARE REALLY STARTING TO GET A HANDLE ON OUR ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THEY HAD SOME OTHER REQUEST AS WELL.

>> ON THE ROADS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE GETTING TAKING CARE OF WOULD BE LIKE -- THEY HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED SINCE THE HURRICANE OR EVEN BEFORE THE HURRICANE BECAUSE ALL OF THESE ROADS ARE CONCRETE ROADS.

ESPECIALLY THE ONE GOING UP TOWARD HOMETOWN IN THAT AREA BECAUSE IT IS A CONCRETE ROAD AND WHEN IT GETS --CARS CANNOT GO UP THE HILL.

THEY NEED TO PAY THAT.

THEY HAVE HOLES AND STUFF WHERE THE TRAFFIC GOES AROUND THERE.

IT DOES A LOT OF DAMAGE TO YOUR CAR, YOU KNOW?

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MAIN ROADS AND PROBABLY IF YOU COULD GET INTO THE RESIDENTIAL, SOME OF THOSE ROADS NEED REPAIR TOO.

IN ST. THOMAS IS -- >> THE ROADS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE REPAIRED IS WATERFRONT WITH THE URGENCY.

>> WITH THE URGENCY.

>> OKAY, I , I --TWO ROADS.

I DON´T WANT TO CALL YOU OUT.

SO, SO YOU DON´T GET YOUR CAR REMOVED.

WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THOSE ROADS THAT , YOU KNOW, WE JUST HEARD?

>> SO, WE RECENTLY DID SOME WORK IN THAT AREA.

WE ARE HOPING THAT WE CAN MOVE ON TO PHASE TWO .

SO THE HOMETOWN , WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU.

WE ARE GOING TO BE HAVING SOME OF THE MAIN ROADS AND OF COURSE, WE ARE ALWAYS WORKING ON THEM.

AND WE HAVE SOME MORE PROJECTS COMING ONLINE.

AS WELL AS GOING BACK TO FINISH WHAT WE DID NOT DO IN THAT AREA.

THAT IS ONE OF THE OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE WILL BE ADDRESSING.

>> ALSO, I SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU ABOUT THIS.

>> SO, WHERE ARE WE WITH GETTING THE WATERFRONT AS THE LAST , THE LAST LADY ON THE -- >> SO, WE HAVE BEEN DOING SOME REPAIRS, THAT EASTBOUND MAINE, WE DID REPAIRS OVER THERE.

I AM REALLY PROUD OF OUR GUYS OVER THERE.

THOSE GUYS , THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD.

SO WE ARE TRYING TO OPEN THAT ONE AND GET THAT ONE GOING.

>> AWESOME, THAT IS WONDERFUL TO HEAR.

SO, WE HAVE ANOTHER THING GOING ON IN ST. THOMAS, WE HAVE PERSEVERANCE DAY AND EXCITEMENT DAY.

SO, HE MET RECENTLY OBLIGATED SOME FUNDS FOR YOU TO GET SOME PROJECT STARTED.

>> YES, WITH THOSE OBLIGATED FUNDS, WE WENT OUT FOR SEVERAL OF THOSE WATER AREAS SO PERSEVERANCE, FRENCHMEN BAY, WE WENT OUT AND DID THAT CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION.

SO CONSTRUCTION SHOULD BEGIN SHORTLY ON THOSE SEGMENTS.

THE OTHER WATERSHEDS , SOME OF THEM ARE IN DESIGN SO WE HAVE A CONSULTANT THAT IS WORKING ON THE DESIGN SO WE CAN DEVELOP IT LATER THIS YEAR FOR THE CONSTRUCTION.

THAT YOU ARE WORKING ON IT.

WE HAVE ALSO BEEN CHIPPING AWAY AT A MAJOR DESIGN BUILD ON ST. THOMAS AND ONE OF THE MANAGERS, PETER DYNASTY, GAVE US AN UPDATE.

>> TO DATE, THE CONTRACTOR HAS EXCAVATED THE ROADWAY AND REMOVED THE FAILED RETAINING WALL.

AND THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT IS TO PREPARE THE RETAINING WALL .

IMPROVE THE DRAINAGE AND RESTORE THE CONCRETE PAVEMENT.

THE APPROXIMATE COST OF THE SITE IS ABOUT $1 MILLION .

THE OVERALL PROJECT COST OF THIS PROJECT WHICH INCLUDES MULTIPLE SITES THROUGHOUT ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN´S IS APPROXIMATELY $22 MILLION.

THE FUNDING RESOURCE THIS PROJECT IS THROUGH THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION AND EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM.

AND THE NEXT STEP HERE WOULD BE TO FILL IN THE AREA BEHIND ME, INSTALL THE DRAINAGE , AND RESTORE THE CONCRETE PAVEMENT.

WE ANTICIPATE A COMPLETION DATE SOMETIME IN NOVEMBER.

THE ROAD WILL BE OPEN THEN.

>> IT SEEMED LIKE HE WAS DOWN IN A PIT.

>> YES, HE WAS.

THE WATER HAD BEEN COMPLETED SO HE WAS THERE BECAUSE IT HAD NOT BEEN COMPLETED SO IT WAS AT THE BASE OF THE WALL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THE RESIDENCE THERE HAD SOME THINGS TO SAY.

>> RIGHT NOW, EVERYTHING IS GOING GOOD.

EVERYTHING IS LOOKING LOVELY.

ON THE SIDE, EVERYTHING IS LOOKING REALLY GOOD, I LOVE THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE BY THE ADMINISTRATOR AND THE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE BEHIND US DID BUT BY THAT AREA, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE.

MAKE SURE THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF BECAUSE A LOT OF TRAFFIC IS OVER THERE.

AND THE UNDERGROUND WORK IS VERY GOOD.

ESPECIALLY IN ST. JOHN BECAUSE OF HURRICANES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THEM AND IT IS CRAZY.

THEY´RE COMING TOGETHER AND MAKE IT WORK THE UNDERGROUND WORK WILL BE VERY SUCCESSFUL FOR ST. JOHN.

AND I HOPE THAT EVERYONE CAN GO BACK TOGETHER AND WORK TOGETHER.

>> WHAT NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED ON ST. JOHN IS -- I FEEL THEY DID A GREAT JOB TRYING TO GO TO THAT AREA.

THEY DID A GREAT JOB BECAUSE RIGHT THERE WAS PRETTY DAMAGED AND , YOU KNOW, IT WAS PRETTY DAMAGED.

THEY DID AN AWESOME JOB.

>> THE GUYS OUT THERE ARE WORKING FOR YOU.

SO, PLEASE, SLOW DOWN BECAUSE WE DON´T WANT TO HAVE ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT HAPPENING BECAUSE REMEMBER, AGAIN, THEY ARE WORKING TO BETTER SERVING YOU SO BE MINDFUL OF OUR GUYS ON THE STREET.

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING AND MOVING FORWARD AND MOVING ST. JOHN ONWARD.

>> WELL, YOU HEARD IT RIGHT THERE.

THE GREAT BONUS FOR THE PEOPLE ON ST. JOHN GRATEFULNESS.

SO, WHERE ARE WE WITH THAT?

>> FISH FRY, WE ALSO HAVE , FEMA HAS A MITIGATION PROJECT.

WE ALSO WENT OUT FOR THE DESIGN SEVERAL MONTHS AGO BUT AFTER OUR BUSINESS, WE DECIDED TO PULL IT BACK AND MAKE A SLIGHT CHANGE TO THE APPROACH THAT WE WANTED TO ADDRESS THERE.

SO, WE GOT APPROVAL FROM FEMA AND WE ARE GOING OUT THERE AGAIN FOR THE WORK TO HAVE THAT ROAD RECONSTRUCTED.

>> THAT IS PROGRESS, RIGHT?

>> I KNOW, SO, THERE ARE OTHER ROADS.

YOU HEARD THE GRATEFULNESS OF THAT ROAD AND THE DESIGN BUILD APPROACH HAS BEEN WORKING FOR THAT PROJECT.

>> YES, WE HAVE A CONTRACTOR ALSO DOING SOME DESIGN ON THE ROAD OF ST. JOHN.

THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON 1 OF 7.

THAT IS IN CORAL BAY RIGHT NOW.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE RETAINING WALL AND THERE WORKING BY SELF FISHMARKET WHICH IS IN COLLABORATION WITH WAPA.

WE ACTUALLY INSTALLED SOME UNDERGROUND LINES THERE AND THE WATER LINE BECAUSE WE ARE PUTTING IN A CONCRETE ROADWAY.

SO WE DON´T HAVE TO BREAK UP THE CONCRETE PAVEMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOU HEARD IT .

IT IS CRITICAL .

THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> IT HAS TO HAPPEN.

>> SO, YOU ARE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ROADS AND THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DOES.

LOT OF THINGS IN GOVERNMENT, WHO DOES WORK, SO MANY THINGS THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT JUST ROADS OF CRITICAL CONSTRUCTION AS WELL AND THAT IS EVERYWHERE, RIGHT?

>> SO, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS THAT YOU HAVE TO STAMP ON TO APPROVE BEFORE YOU MOVE FORWARD AND DOING CONSTRUCTION IS DOING AND YOU HAVE A BUILDING THAT IS GOING TO BE COMPLETED?

>> THAT´S CORRECT, WE ARE ABOUT TO WRAP UP THAT BUILDING.

WE ARE JUST ABOUT CLOSING OF THAT PROJECT AND THEN WE SHOULD BE HAVING ANOTHER RIBBON- CUTTING CEREMONY.

>> RIBBON-CUTTING, THAT´S RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, YOU ARE NOT ONLY IN THAT PROCESS.

RIGHT?

YOU ARE WORKING , WHERE ARE YOU WORKING?

THE TOTAL DEMO OF THE EAST AND WEST WINGS.

TO REBUILD OUR WINGS AND ENGINEERING DIVISION HIGHWAYS AND THEY WILL REMAIN THE SAME WHILE WE WORK ON THE COMPLETE DEMO REBUILD, WE ARE GOING TO PREPARE A TEMPERATURE FACILITY IN THE BACK AND SO, MAINTENANCE WILL DO ANOTHER DEMO TO REBUILD A TEMPORARY FACILITY AND WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THAT IS THAT IS A PERMANENT FACILITY BECAUSE AS WE MOVE BACK THROUGH AND IS HOPE, OUR MAINTENANCE GUYS CAN UTILIZE THAT.

YOU CANNOT BUILD EVERYBODY ELSE´S HOME AND NOT BUILD YOUR OWN, RIGHT?

>> YOU ARE ALSO DOING WORK ON YOUR CONCORDIA SITE AS WELL?

>> SO CONCORDIA IS GOING TO BE SORT OF LIKE THE WEST END OPERATION SO WE WILL HAVE HEAVY EQUIPMENT THERE.

WE HAVE A STAFF DEDICATED THERE.

THAT, AGAIN, IS A DEMO AND REBUILD.

SO, OFFICES, SMALL CONFERENCE ROOMS.

WE WILL ALSO HAVE MAINTENANCE BASE SO WE CAN DO, NOT MAINTENANCE, WE WILL HAVE EQUIPMENT THERE.

>> YES, YOU ALSO HAVE THE CEMETERY AND SOME DAMAGE TO THE CHAPEL ON ST. CROIX.

AND YOU ALSO HAVE SOME ROADWORK?

>> YES, WE DID SOME PROJECTS ON THE PARKING LOT.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HAPPY TO DO THAT.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT A PARKING LOT BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

SO JUST COMPLETED THAT PROJECT .

AND WE ARE JUST ABOUT WRAPPING UP THE DESIGN TO DO SOME REPAIRS FOR THE CHAPEL.

SO WE ARE MAKING THE RESTROOMS IN OUR CHAPEL COMPLIANT AND ACCEPTABLE FOR REFURBISHING, ADDING SOME NEW TUBES, MAKING SOME ELECTRICAL UPGRADES SO THAT WHEN OUR RESIDENTS WANT TO USE THE CHAPEL, OF COURSE, IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

WE WILL MAKE IT READY TO GO.

>> YES, THE RECOVERY OF SO MANY DAMAGE BUILDINGS AND YOU WOULD NEVER THINK ABOUT THE CHAPEL THERE AND THE CEMETERY BUT ALL OF THAT IS BEEN CONSIDERED AS WE REBUILD , AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, WE ARE PAST THAT.

WE ARE IN THE TRANSFORMATION.

WE ARE GOING TO BE THE OFFICE OF --IN A MINUTE.

BUT IT IS NOT JUST DPW BUILDINGS.

IT IS DESIGNED FOR THE ENTIRE TERRITORY.

SO TELL US ABOUT SOME OTHER PROJECTS YOU ARE WORKING ON AND HOW YOU INTEGRATE WITH THE REST OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SERVICES THAT YOU PROVIDE.

>> ABSOLUTELY, SO, WE TOUCH EVERY, EVERY AGENCY.

YOU KNOW, IN FREDERIKSTED SAID, WE HAVE OUR COLLEGES OF STADIUM.

OUR LONG-AWAITED PROJECTS ARE LOOKING TO BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER TIME.

THAT IS GOING WELL.

WE HAVE THE BATHHOUSE PROJECT BEACH AND BATHHOUSE PROJECT.

>> THAT IS AWESOME.

LOOKS WONDERFUL.

SHUT IT TO COMMISSIONER WHITE FOR WORKING THIS DONE.

AND OF COURSE , THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF YOUR PARTNERSHIP.

>> EXACTLY, GOOD COLLABORATION WITH THEM.

>> AND THE STADIUM HAS BEEN A TALK OF THE TOWN FOR A LONG TIME.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP UP THE WORK THAT IS GOING ON.

AND , YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROJECT FOR CHARLES HIGHWAY.

>> I HAVE SEEN THAT.

I WAS THERE.

>> WE WERE EXCITED BUT SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR ROLE IN THOSE MAJOR CONSTRUCTIONS , BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE HEAR DPW, THEY THINK ROADS.

BUT YOU ARE THE ENGINEERING ARMS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU INTEGRATE >> THEY HAVE THE ARCHITECT AND THE DESIGNER.

SO,20 DPW HAS THEIR OWN PROJECTS FOR THE DESIGNER.

SO, AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE TECHNICAL REVIEWS, THEY EVEN DIVE DEEP TO EACH INDIVIDUAL ARM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SO DPW LOOKS AT EVERYTHING.

THE OVERALL DESIGN AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO COORDINATE WITH WAPA AND SEWER.

WE LOOK AT SUSTAINABILITY, TECHNOLOGY, MATERIAL TO BE USED.

EVEN WHEN A PROJECT IS FINISHED, WE LOOK AT OUR MAINTENANCE, WHAT TYPE OF MAINTENANCE WE ARE GOING TO USE AND MAKE SURE WE ARE REDUCING OUR MAINTENANCE COSTS GOOD SO RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE AT THAT POINT.

WE ARE WITHIN A WEEK OF WE ARE CONTINUING OUR WORK BUT PREPARING THE SITE FOR DEMOLITION.

>> AWESOME, YOU HAVE GOT A LOT YOU ARE DOING AND WE THANK YOU FOR IT.

WE WANTED TO CONTINUE TO THINK OUR VIEWERS.

YOU CAN CONTACT US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND OUR INBOX DOING OUR SHOW.

THIS TIME WE GRABBED A QUESTION .

>> MY QUESTION WOULD BE WHEN MONEY IS COMING TO THE TERRITORY, HOW IT IS BEING SPENT AND HOW DO WE DETERMINE WHICH PROJECT THAT GETS PRIORITY?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

WE ARE EXPECTING OUR INITIAL -- 8 BILLION, WE ARE AT ABOUT $12 BILLION NOW.

AND THE GOVERNOR HAS GIVEN OUT HIS PRIORITY FOR HOUSING , ROADS, SCHOOLS, POWER, HEALTH AND HOSPITALS.

TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THE TERRITORY BACK IN A MORE RESILIENT MANNER .

NOT ONLY RECOVER BUT ALSO MAKE SURE THAT IT LASTS .

SO, YES, THOSE PROJECTS THAT IMPACT THE COMMUNITY , THOSE ARE THE PRIORITY.

WE REALLY WANT TO RING RELIEF WITH SOME STABILITY AND GET US BACK TO THE PART WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO STAND ON OUR TWO FEET AND WITHSTAND ANYTHING THAT COMES.

SO THOUGH OUR IN THE PRIORITY AREAS.

WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT , AS A COMMUNITY, WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER.

WE WILL TRY TO BUILD AND TRANSFORM THESE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU´RE HAVING FUN.

I WILL JUST TAKE SOME QUICK LAST WORDS FROM OUR FRIENDS AT DPW.

>> I WOULD SAY BE PATIENT WITH US.

MORE ROADWORK COMING AHEAD.

BUT ALSO, YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF BUILDING, I AM A VERTICAL PERSON .

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> I WOULD JUST ADD THAT , LIKE JOANNA SAID .

WE WANT TO PREACH TO THE PATIENT.

BUT WE ARE ALSO BUILDING AN PROGRESS.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND COMMISSIONER.

I´M EXCITED ABOUT THE PERSONNEL TO BE ABLE TO BUILD OUR HOMES.

WE ARE HERE AND WE ARE HERE FOR YOU AND WE ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR ANOTHER INFORMATIVE AND EPISODE OF RECOVERY IN FOCUS.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALL THINGS RECOVERY, VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.USVIODR.COM .

YOU CAN ALSO KEEP THIS DISCUSSION GOING AT FACEBOOK.COM/WTJX .

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.