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MARCH 3, 2021 Committee on Housing, Transportation & Telecommunications Testimony Marvin A. Blyden, Chairman Derek A. Gabriel Commissioner Nominee Department of Public Works 340.776.4844 DPW.VI.GOV Department of Public Works United States Virgin Islands INTRODUCTION Good morning Senator Marvin Blyden, Chairman of the Committee on Housing, Transportation, and Telecommunications; committee members; all other senators in attendance today; as well as those in the listening and viewing audience. I am Derek Gabriel, Commissioner Nominee of the Department of Public Works. With me today is Dennis Brow, Assistant Commissioner; Karole McGregor, Deputy Commissioner of Transportation; Patrick Williams from our Capital Improvement Projects Division; Eran Flemming, District Engineer and Jomo McClean, Highway Program Manager. We are here today to provide this committee with an update on roads and public transportation. Before I begin, I would like to thank you for inviting me to my first appearance before this body as the Commissioner Nominee for the Department of Public Works. 2 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 TRANSPORTATION The Division of Transportation includes the Office of Public Transportation (OPT), the Virgin Islands Transit System (VITRAN), and public parking lots. The OPT is the designated grant recipient for the territory’s Federal Transit Administration Urbanized Area Formula Grant Program. The OPT is responsible for the planning and oversight, as well as providing sufficient equipment to sustain a level of service required to operate an efficient public transit system. The department essentially relies on funding from the Federal Transit Administration, as well as special federal grant allocations to finance buses and capital projects. FEDERAL GRANTS PROGRAM The Office of Public Transportation manages nine (9) Federal Grants. To date, there is a balance of $11,452,385 in accumulated grant funds. In FY 2020, the OPT expended a total of $3,951,052 from the Federal Transit Administration Grant Program allotments. The disbursements were used for Phase III of the St. Thomas VITRAN Operations and Maintenance Facility, construction of the St. Croix VITRAN Operations and Maintenance Facility, security equipment, preventive maintenance, training, travel, professional services, personnel and fringe benefits, as well as the Drug and Alcohol Program. In FY 2020, the OPT was awarded an Emergency Response - Recovery and Rebuilding Grant. The application for part one was submitted in the amount of $856,111. The second part of the application will be submitted in the amount of $697,889 this fiscal year. The OPT also received an appropriation in the amount of $4,100,960 under the CARES ACT. The grant application was submitted and is currently in the review process. The first part of the application was submitted in the amount of $3,868,318. Thus far in FY 2021, the Office of Public Transportation was appropriated the Urbanized Area Formula and Discretionary Grant, in the amount of $2,749,898 and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, in the amount of $27,055. 3 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 VITRAN VITRAN provides fixed route and demand response, or ADA Paratransit services, on the islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. Over the last year, VITRAN has implemented a sanitation and disinfecting schedule that includes multiple cleanings of buses between shifts and runs. Buses are sanitized 3 - 4 times daily. All passengers are required to wear masks before entering and while traversing on buses. VITRAN’s transit modernization will continue with the purchase of five (5) new ADA Paratransit buses, the hiring of additional Mass Transit Operators, re-instating suspended bus routes and continued implementation of the Intelligent Transportation System - RouteMatch. Other modernization projects include: • St. Croix VITRAN Operations and Maintenance Facility • Lloyd “Sonny” Barnes Bus Terminal, St. Croix • St. John VITRAN Operations and Maintenance Facility • Bus route expansion • Generators for all VITRAN Operations and Maintenance Facilities; and • Bus Shelter Upgrades VITRAN Operations & Maintenance Facility – St. Thomas FERRY BOAT TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM The department recently submitted language to implement a Ferry Transportation Program, in the territory, to the Federal Transit Administration for review and approval. Once approved, DPW will be eligible to apply for Ferry Boat Discretionary Program grants; namely to fund the acquisition of ferry boats for the St. Thomas/St. Croix route. To address personnel needs, DPW recently 4 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 transferred an employee to fill one of the vacancies necessary to implement this program. Still, additional personnel are required to fulfill technical needs. PARKING LOT OPERATIONS In FY 2021, the department has several improvement projects planned for parking lots throughout the territory. At both the Christiansted and Fort Christian Parking Lots, we are slated to begin renovating our offices and facilities including resurfacing, installation of security cameras, and repairs to or replacement of perimeter fencing. A pre-construction meeting for the St. Thomas renovations took place on February 24, 2021. The St. Croix renovations will be put out to bid once a new engineer’s estimate is provided. Parking lot revenues were drastically impacted due the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Revenues are now slowly increasing as the community begins to readjust to our “new normal.” For FY 2021, we have made the following amounts thus far: • Fort Christian Parking Lot - $163,748 • Strand Street - $55,334 5 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 FEDERAL HIGHWAY ENGINEERING OFFICE The Office of Highway Engineering (OHE) is responsible for the design, management and implementation of all projects funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Presently, DPW receives annual funding in the amount of $16.8 million at an obligation authority of 92% or $15,409,228 under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. Of this designated funding, approximately $7.5 million is used for debt service of the GARVEE Bonds floated at the end of 2015. As a result of these authorized funds, DPW has several projects in various phases of construction and/or still in procurement. ST. CROIX 1. Scenic Road Phase II - Route 78 ($ 3,194,612.69) - This project was authorized for construction by the FHWA. The Department of Property and Procurement executed a contract with Virgin Islands Asphalt Products Inc. and construction began in January 2018. This project is now complete. 2. Clifton Hill Connector Road/Melvin Evans Highway-Container Port Intersection Phase I (Route 75/Route 66) - This project was authorized for construction by the FHWA. The Department of Property and Procurement executed a contract with Virgin Islands Paving and construction started in April 2018. Construction was halted due to several issues, including dust mitigation. The Department of Property and Procurement has terminated this contract, at the department’s request, and the project will be re-bid. We anticipate this project restarting this summer. 6 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 3. Carlton Road Pavement Rehabilitation - Route 667 ($2,879,939.25) – This project is in the construction phase by the contractor – Marco St. Croix. Work on this project is ongoing and is approximately 25% complete. Roadway Aggregate Base Course near 35+00 (North View) 4. Mt. Welcome Road Pavement Reconstruction (Gallows Bay Road) Route 753 - This project was authorized for construction by the FHWA. The Department of Property and Procurement is currently executing a contract for this project. We anticipate construction starting in April 2021. ST. THOMAS 5. Main Street Enhancement -Route 308 ($15,322,553.11) – This project is well into the construction phase by the contractor - Island Roads Corporation. Work on this project is ongoing and is approximately 99% complete. 7 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 6. Clearview Retaining Wall Project ER-VI-33(7), Crown Mountain Road – Work on this project is approximately 72% complete. The contractor is Rumina Construction. The contract amount for this project is $1,098,805. The contractor is on hold until VIYA can complete the fiber optic transition project. After this portion of the project is completed, it will allow the contractor to continue construction activities starting with the excavation for the retaining wall. 7. Crown Bay Roadway and Pedestrian Improvements VI-9999 [131] ($2,816,949.00) – This project is well into the construction phase by the contractor - Island Roads Corporation. Work on this project is ongoing and is approximately 90% complete. The contractor began placing the final layer of asphalt on February 24, 2021. ST. JOHN 8. Emergency Repair Project ER-VI-9999[127] - This project entails the reconstruction and repair of two areas, one on Route 1041 - Fish Bay and the other on Route 20 - Kingshill Road. The work on Route 1041 has since been incorporated into the Design Build Project being managed by Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division awarded to Island Roads in December 2020. The work on this Route includes damages caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The original contractor, Rumina Construction, will finalize completion of the work on Route 20 - Kingshill Road. 9. Estate Adrian Road Repairs – Grace Civil, LLC was contracted for this project along the Intersection of Route 10 and Route 206. It included roadway excavation, new reinforced concrete pavement, guardrail removal and replacement, and pavement restoration. This project was completed December 21, 2020. 8 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 GARVEE PROJECTS 1. Veterans Drive Project Phase I, St. Thomas - $45 Million - In conjunction with Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division, this project was awarded to American Bridge. Construction is underway. Work is approximately 75% complete. 2. Melvin Evans Highway Project, Route 66, St. Croix ($15 Million) – This project was divided into six segments, with four of the six segments now completed. One segment is in construction and the remaining segment is in design finalization. 3. Mahogany Road, Route 76, St. Croix ($8 Million) – The project design firm has submitted all plans to the department. The department has started the right of way acquisition process. Twenty-four letters to property owners were mailed out the week of February 22, 2021. We anticipate being able to advertise for this project in the fall. 9 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 4. Hams Bluff Road, Route 63, St. Croix ($7 Million) – The department recently submitted to FHWA a new Request for Proposal (RFP) template. Once approved, it will be utilized to solicit for the completion of this project. DPW is also incorporating storm damages into the proposed bid package. 5. Spring Gut Road Phase I, Route 85, St. Croix ($5 Million) – The construction documents for this project are approaching the completion stage. The project design firm has submitted right of way plans and the department has initiated the acquisition process. 6. Sion Valley Road, Route 81, St. Croix ($7 Million) – Construction started January 2019. This project is well into the construction phase by the contractor – VI Paving. The project is approximately 90% complete. Placing Crosswalk at Lew Muckle School (South View) 7. Rattan Road, Route 74, St. Croix ($3 Million) – Construction documents for this project are being prepared in house. Survey services are complete. 8. Frederiksted Roads, Route 702, 7025, 7027, 7029, & 7023, St. Croix ($3 Million) – The project design firm has submitted construction plans to the department for review. The department will be meeting with the project consultant in March to review DPW’s comments. We anticipate this project being sent to FHWA for approval in the fall. 9. Christiansted Roads, Route 754, 75E, 75W, St. Croix – Eastern Federal Lands was assigned the project development of this project. 10 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 FHWA EMERGENCY RELIEF (ER) PROJECTS The Office of Highway Engineering also manages FHWA Emergency Relief projects that resulted from the Hurricanes of 2017. To date, the department has received approximately $68 million dollars of FHWA – ER Funds and expended over $21 million of those funds. The remaining balance of the funds are for projects that have commenced throughout the territory. ST. CROIX 1. VI ST ER STX [003] ($10,660,446.43) - This project, managed by Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD), received proposals on June 11, 2020. This is a Design/Build project, which includes sixteen damaged sites throughout the island. Included on that list is Midland Road Bridge, East Airport Road Bridge, Route 7532 (vicinity of the lagoon) and North Shore Road. Eastern Federal Lands awarded the contract to VI Paving. The Design Notice to Proceed was issued in November 2020. The first Construction Notice to Proceed is anticipated to be issued March 31, 2021. 2. Permanent Traffic Signs – STX ($943,415.00) – This project, which covers the entire island, will entail the installation of new traffic signs throughout the island. The Contract was issued to Celestine Construction with a Notice to Proceed date of December 4, 2020. ST. THOMAS 3. VI ST ER STT [004] ($20,650,000.71) - This project, managed by EFLHD, received proposals on June 11, 2020. This is a Design/Build project which includes thirteen damaged sites throughout the island. Included in the list of sites is Route 333 (in the vicinity of Dorothea Fire Station), Route 335, Route 72 – Mandahl Road and Route 30 (Black Point Hill). Eastern Federal Lands awarded the contract to Island Roads. The Design Notice to Proceed was issued in December 2020. The first Construction Notice to Proceed is anticipated to be issued March 2021. 4. Permanent Traffic Signs - STT/STJ ($ 747,500.00) – This project, which covers the entire district, entails the installation of new traffic signs throughout the district of St. Thomas/St. John. 12 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 ENGINEERING ST. CROIX The department has executed contracts to repair the roads in the historic towns of Frederiksted and Christiansted. Through the grants provided by the Department of the Interior and Insular Affairs, the department will repair the following roadways in Christiansted: Queen, Strand, Hill, East, West, Smith, Prince and Market Streets; as well as the following roads in Frederiksted: Queen Cross, Hill, Hospital, New, King, Customs, Lagoon and Market Streets. Both projects are currently delayed due to utility line installations beneath the roadways. In Christiansted, WAPA has completed 98% of the water line installations, however, Waste Management has not yet begun the installation of sewer lines. In Frederiksted, 90% percent of the water lines have been installed. A start date for both town projects will be selected upon completion of the utility installations. Through Act 8382, monies from the St. Croix Capital Improvement funds made it possible to commence road repairs at Estate La Reine, Bugby Hole, Estate St. Georges, and Herman Hill. Road construction is expected to begin in May. ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN/WATER ISLAND ROAD UPDATES The St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island District currently has several projects that were recently completed, under construction, under design or in the procurement process. 1. The Bovoni Low-Water Crossing Project was recently completed and closed-out. This project installed a new curb grate, cleaned and placed rip-rap at the culvert, out of the low-water crossing area, which will ensure the future functionality of the roadway drainage. Specific areas of asphalt roadway were milled, and new asphalt was placed along with new pavement striping from the Purple Shop road heading West towards Lima Gas Station in Bovoni. Funding was allocated thru the 2009 Matching Fund Bond (Act No. 7081) and a Local Purchase Order in the amount of $145,047. 2. The Eastern Cemetery Roadway Phase 2 Project is substantially completed and is in the final inspection process. The road work entailed extending the asphalt roadway approximately 500ft., with the addition of parking spaces and a sidewalk. This improvement will allow for 11 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 The Contract was issued to Custom Builders. The Contractor’s Notice to Proceed (NTP) commenced on June 8, 2020. 5. Mafolie Retaining Wall Route 35 ($909,136.07) – The focus of this project is to construct a retaining wall along a segment of Mafolie Hill Road. The Contract was issued to Four Star Construction. The Contractor’s Notice to Proceed (NTP) commenced on September 14, 2020. Substantial completion was achieved on February 25, 2021. ST. JOHN 6. VI ST ER STJ (002) - This project, managed by EFLHD, received proposals on June 11, 2020. This is a Design/Build project which includes five damaged sites throughout the island. Some included sites are Routes 104, 107, 108 and 1041 (Fish Bay Road). Eastern Federal Lands awarded the contract to Island Roads. The Design Notice to Proceed was issued in December 2020. The first Construction Notice to Proceed is anticipated to be issued March 2021. 13 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 easier and safer access for the visiting public. Funding was allocated thru the 2009 Matching Fund Bond (Act No. 7081) and a Local Purchase Order in the amount of $429.712. 3. The Benner Hill Guardrail Project is located above the National Guard Armory in Estate Nazareth. Approximately 1,000 feet of guardrail is scheduled to be installed to ensure the safety of the public while traveling on the inclined and curvaceous roadway. This project is currently underway and is expected to be completed by June 13, 2021 at a cost of $139,000. 4. The Bolongo Bay Drainage Project is in the contract preparation process at the Department of Property & Procurement and is expected to be executed within the following weeks. This project will enhance the natural drainage flow in the area by channeling storm water to the bay via bio-retention ponds, vegetative swales, and culverts. This project is an (EPA) Environmental Protection Agency funded, at a cost of $1,261,365. 5. The Estate Thomas Infrastructure Phase 1 Project is currently in the bid package preparation phase. The scope of work entails re-construction of approximately 3,200 linear feet of roadway, new side-walk construction, drainage, and guardrail installation. 14 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS PAUL E. JOSEPH STADIUM Since its inception, the Paul E. Joseph Stadium Project has gone through several design iterations that have now spanned seven years and multiple change orders. The original contract was signed in 2014 as a Guaranteed Maximum Design/Build contract for $20 Million with GEC, LLC, with no drawings or detailed specifications to define the deliverable. The deliverable consisted of keeping the original footprint, original lighting and walls. After the contract was signed, the scope required more Front-End Engineering (FEED) that was conducted by V.I. Coastal Systems, Inc. They provided conceptual sketches, held a public meeting, and later started the contract supervision to fine tune the stadium location with former Governor Mapp. Later, the site required archeological studies and soil investigations. Also, the expanded scope added an electronic scoreboard with instant replay, a PA system, LED lighting, a 3-story structure with party areas, locker rooms for umpires, coaches and the teams, as well as concession areas. These and other associated front-end billings amounted to $1,621,768.89. Between July 2015 and now, the department has processed a total of 13 change orders for this project. Additionally, 410 piles had to be driven to provide structural support for the foundation of the building. The current concept facility will feature a two-story viewing structure, a concession area, 1100 bench seats, as well as player locker rooms and showers. The venue will be capable of hosting AA baseball games and will house a little league field and the Festival Village. 15 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 Present Status Pile driving was completed in September 2019. The installation of reinforcing steel and concrete fill of the pilings was completed in February 2020. Slab utilities, as well as the installation of utilities and 3’ thick concrete slab is currently underway. However, due to the pending Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) review, the project has been on hold awaiting FEMA response. It is anticipated that the FEMA review will be completed on or before Summer 2021. Current Image of Paul E. Joseph Stadium Construction GOVERNMENT HOUSE ST. THOMAS The project scope entails mold remediation; roof repairs; water damage repairs; ADA compliance; as well as updating the electrical, plumbing and internet to 2018 code standards. This project is funded by FEMA at a cost of $4,515,872.39 and the contract ends on March 14, 2021. Current Image of Government House - St. Thomas under Construction GOVERNMENT HOUSE ST. JOHN The project scope entails mold remediation; roof repairs; water damage repairs; ADA compliance; as well as updating the electrical, plumbing and internet to 2018 code standards. 16 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 This project is funded via insurance proceeds at a cost of $1,274,553.94 and the contract ends on May 30, 2021 The following list outlines other projects currently managed by the CIP Division. • St. Thomas Forensic Laboratory (VIPD) • Golden Grove Detention Facility Roof Repairs (Bureau of Corrections) • DPNR St. John Office Repairs and Upgrades • DPW St John Office Repairs • Department of Finance Building Rehabilitation • Athley McFarlain Petersen Library (DPNR) • Florence Williams Library (DPNR) • Enid M. Baa Library (DPNR) • Elaine Sprauve Library (DPNR) • Lt. Governor’s Passport Office • Dorothea Fire Station Retrofit • St. Thomas DPNR Lab • Emile Henderson Fire Station Retrofit • Canegata Fire Station retrofit • Canegata Ballfield and Complex (SPR) • VITRAN Bus Facility in St. Croix (DPW) • St. John Community Center construction • Department of Agriculture Administration Building • St. Thomas National Guard Security Fencing 17 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 OPERATIONS The Division of Operations is the backbone of the Department of Public Works. On a weekly basis, the department receives an average of 50 requests from the community and government agencies. These requests are recorded as a work order and then scheduled accordingly to be assessed and executed. They include, but are not limited to, road patching; roadside clearance; temporary repairs of damaged and unpaved roadways; tree pruning; as well as gut, culvert, drainage and swale maintenance. Two of the most critical tasks are asphalt road patching and roadside maintenance, which mainly focuses on maintaining the brush within the 10-foot set back of the road and removing debris. ROADSIDE CLEARANCE The territory has a combined total of approximately 1200 miles of road. While we have roadside contractors, which on average cost the department about $5 Million per year, we still find ourselves challenged due to seasonal growth spurts and limited crews, especially on St. Croix. To address this, the department is collaborating with the Bureau of Corrections to use inmates to supplement our existing crews. We are currently in the process of finalizing the Memorandum of Understanding. ROAD PATCHING Road patching is one of DPW’s most costly tasks. As a solution, DPW has purchased the necessary patching equipment to move this service in-house and has requested task orders for asphalt supply. Our goal is to shorten our response time when addressing potholes, as the safety of our community is our number one goal. ASPHALT PURCHASES District Average Tonnage/Year Average Cost/Year STX 1500 $300,000 STT/STJ/WI 1000 $200,000 18 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 CEMETERY Cemetery personnel maintain public cemetery grounds and provide oversight of all burials. In an effort to improve cemetery operations, the department, for the first time in over 30 years, increased burial permit fees in September 2020. As shown in the table below, since inception, the increase has more than tripled the amount of revenue brought in to assist with the maintenance of our cemeteries. The department currently has several improvement projects in progress: The Eastern Cemetery roadway improvement, renovations to the chapel; the Western Cemetery Fence Project and most recently, repairs to the Eastern Cemetery gate. BURIAL REVENUES STT/STJ Burials FY2020 Actual Collection STT&STJ STX Burials FY2020 Actual Collection STX July 26 $2,422.00 30 $ 1,438.00 August 30 $1,449.00 30 $ 2,235.00 September 23 $8,200.00 34 $ 10,070.00 October 30 $7,650.00 32 $ 4,450.00 November 24 $5,750.00 23 $ 8,875.00 December 25 $11,225.00 32 $ 6,500.00 Total Revenue Collected 158 $36,696.00 181 $33,568.00 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS The Division of Operations plays a critical role in emergency preparedness and response. In preparation for the upcoming 2021 Hurricane Season, the Department of Public Works is working diligently to ensure our mandates and functions are met. Every year, in preparation for the hurricane season, DPW performs a gut assessment and develops a gut cleaning schedule to have all guts cleared and ready before June 1st. Upon VITEMA’s authorization, all government agencies are responsible for sending their staff - by appointment - to fill bags. In addition to sand and bags, DPW provides necessary tools for filling. Pre-filled sandbags are reserved for the elderly and physically challenged individuals. 19 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 STRATEGIC PREPOSITIONING: In preparation for the 2021 Hurricane Season, DPW has established the following protocol and preparation measures: 1. All DPW Operations personnel along with all Roadside Contractors are assigned to specific locations throughout the territory with a mandate to address all emergency agencies/locations first such as hospitals and fire stations. We meet seventy-two hours before the impending storm to review all assignments and protocol. 2. Once a Presidential Declaration has been made, Emergency Contractors join the process of roadside clearing and debris removal. They address all high priority locations first, which includes: all hospitals, fire departments, and police stations throughout the territory. 3. Emergency Contractors – DPW has contractors for the following: • Emergency Roadside Clearance • Emergency Debris Removal • Emergency Debris Monitors • Emergency Roof Repairs • DPW Emergency Generator Service & Maintenance DPW, in conjunction with the Department of Property & Procurement, are currently advertising the Hurricane Emergency Task Order Contracts for the upcoming hurricane season. All contracts will be in place before the start of this hurricane season. 20 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE The Strategic Development Office – which was formed to meet strategic goals - has been in existence for a little over a year now. Within that time, the office has mobilized on the St. Thomas Landscaping Pilot Project, completely rebranded the department, has grown its staff to include a Project Administrator and managed the Western Cemetery Fence Project – which is now soliciting bids. LANDSCAPING PILOT PROJECT This project was slated to beautify along the public right-of-way on Route 30 in St. Thomas – from the Airport entrance up to Havensight. However, budget cuts drastically altered the area of coverage. The project limits currently span from the Airport entrance to the Nisky Center intersection. The selected contractor, Fabien’s Trucking, has completed work on one median and will continue to the second median in the coming month. We have identified a location on St. Croix to implement this pilot project as well, we are however waiting on a funding source. WESTERN CEMETERY FENCE PROJECT Hurricanes Irma & Maria destroyed the chain link fence that previously surrounded Western Cemetery #3. The department has since removed the damaged fence, sanctioned a topographic survey, prepared an engineer estimate and are now seeking bids. The vision is to enclose the graveyard and make the general area aesthetically pleasing to passersby. The deadline to submit a bid for this project is March 25. More information can be found on DPW’s website. 21 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 CEMETERY RECORDS PROJECT The Cemetery Records Project is a long time in the making. The department currently houses thousands of cemetery records, dating back to the 1930s, in paper format. This project will digitize all existing records and input the information on a searchable database that will be available on the department’s website. The database will also include a geo-code for every plot in the territory, allowing relatives and friends to pinpoint the location of their loved ones. We are currently tackling phase one of this project and are applying for federal grants to help fund this endeavor. ROADSIDE ADVERTISEMENT This office now spearheads roadside advertisement in the territory. Since taking on this endeavor, we have found the current laws regarding such hampers the department’s abilities to regulate effectively. In the coming weeks, my team is prepared to speak members of this body about changes to the law pertaining to setback requirements, temporary vs. permanent installations, lumens, costs, enforcement, etc. We look forward to those discussions. VITRAN MARKETING This office, in conjunction with the Office of Public Transportation, has worked for the last several months to develop VITRAN’s Advertising Program. We have researched federal guidelines pertaining to such endeavors and built an all-encompassing advertising guide that houses necessary information for potential clients. We are currently determining dimensions for ad locations throughout the VITRAN system and setting rates for said location. Capacity remains an issue, so we will have to hire an employee to finalize the preparations and handle day-to-day operations. We are looking forward to instituting this program in the coming months. 22 COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | March 3, 2021 CLOSING In closing, I want to thank the men and women who serve in this department. As you can see, the department is seeking innovative and creative ways to meet our mandates, especially given the challenges presented by insufficient funds and COVID-19. Every day, the men and women at DPW do their best to meet, and often exceed expectations. If there is one thing that has been made clear to me in my short time as Commissioner Nominee, it is, given adequate resources - especially funding, the sky is the limit for this team. The projects mentioned in today’s testimony would be impossible without their hard work and dedication and words cannot adequately express my appreciation. My team and I will remain available to answer any questions you may have. PROJECT NAME VENDOR CONTRACT AMOUNT DELIVERABLES / OBJECTIVES STATUS Christiansted Road Repairs. Queen, Strand, Hill, East, West, Smith, Prince and Market Street. VIAPCO $918,578.00 Milling, Paving & striping the roads of Christiansted Town A contract is in place for this project with the paving company VIAPCO. The Department is still waiting on WAPA and Waste Management to replace their utility lines before the road repairs can be repaired. WAPA has replaced most of their broken water lines and VIWMA will be doing the same. WAPA is also doing some temporary patch work for the trenches. Frederiksted Road Repairs (Phase 1). Queen Cross, Hill, Hospital, New, King, Customs, Lagoon and Market Street VIPAVING $1,396,014.00 Drainage Improvement & Road Paving An executed contract is now in place between Virgin Islands Paving and the government of the Virgin Islands. WAPA is replacing the water lines and as soon as this is done the road project will commence. The time frame is in January, 2021. Frederiksted Road Repairs (Phase 2). King Cross street, East Street, Veteran's Shore Drive, Route 702( Rd. from La Grange to F'sted) Pending $996,265.00 Drainage Improvement & Road Paving This project is in the procurement phase where bids document will be sent out for the solicitation of a qualified contractor to perform the road repairs for Frederiksted. Awaiting the purchase order for this project. Estate LaReine Road Repairs Pending $1,300,000.00 New Roadway Project is in the procurement phase. Estate Bugby Hole Road Repairs Pending $1,900,000.00 New Roadway Road Design is complete. The package is being prepared for bid solicitation. Estate Herman Hill Road Repairs Pending $700,000.00 New Roadway Project is in the design phase. Estate St. Georges Pending $600,000.00 New Roadway Road Design is complete. The package is being prepared for bid solicitation. DIVISION OF LOCAL ENGINEERING - ST. CROIX FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 - PROJECTS STATUS REPORT DIVISION OF ENGINEERING - ST. THOMAS, ST. JOHN & WATER ISLAND FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 - PROJECTS STATUS REPORT ISLAND PROJECT NAME VENDOR COST PROJECT OBJECTIVE STATUS STT Bovoni Low Water Crossing Construction J. Benton Construction, LLC $145,047.00 Construct a Concrete Low- Water Crossing, Mill and Pave Damaged Asphalt Roadway Sections. Completed and Closed-out Contractor is awaiting Final Payment thru Finance STT Eastern Cemetery Roadway - Phase 2 Grace Civil, LLC $429,712.00 Extend an Asphalt Roadway approx. 500 Feet with Parking and Sidewalk. This project is substantially completed and awaiting a Final Inspection. STT Benner Hill Guardrail Installation Project L.E.B.G., LLC $139,000 Install approx. 1,000 ft. of Guardrail on Benner Hill Road adjacent to the National Guard Armory. Construction in progress. The contractor is preparing the road shoulder for the guardrail installation. This project is approximately 10% complete. STT Bolongo Bay Drainage Rodriguez & Garland, Inc. $1,261,365 The objective is to install drainage systems that alleviate hazardous torrential rainfall from the Bolongo Bay Road thru the Resort and to the bay. The Bolongo Bay Drainage Project is in the contract preparation process at the Department of Property & Procurement and is expected to be executed within the following weeks. STT Estate Thomas Infrastructure Project Phase -1 TBD Confidential Replace the dilapidated roadway and install drainage, sidewalks and guardrail. Currently in the Bid Package Preparation Phase. Project solicitation should occur in the following weeks.