YEAR IN REVIEW 2025 DRAFT
YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW 2 0 2 5 2 0 2 5 WELCOME 03 MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS 04 SPECIAL PROJECTS 10 BRIDGE PROJECT 11 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS 12 TRANSPORTATION DIVISION 13 CEMETERY PROJECTS 14 OPERATIONS DIVISION 15 GARVEE PROJECTS 16 SPIRIT OF 1733 FERRY 18 FORT CHRISTIAN PARKING LOT 19 TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN 20 INSIDE DPW 21 T A B L E T A B L E of Contents of Contents Derek Gabriel - Commissioner Department of Public Works DPW ON THE MOVE Welcome to our 2025 Year in Review. This year has been one of transformation — not just in the miles of roadway we’ve paved or the bridges we’ve repaired, but in the way we’ve come together as a team to reimagine transportation across the U.S. Virgin Islands. From the steep hills of St. Thomas to the winding roads of St. Croix and the shores of St. John, our shared commitment to progress has been visible in every project, every plan, and every partnership. Each challenge we faced became an opportunity to innovate. …
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YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW 2 0 2 5 2 0 2 5 WELCOME 03 MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS 04 SPECIAL PROJECTS 10 BRIDGE PROJECT 11 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS 12 TRANSPORTATION DIVISION 13 CEMETERY PROJECTS 14 OPERATIONS DIVISION 15 GARVEE PROJECTS 16 SPIRIT OF 1733 FERRY 18 FORT CHRISTIAN PARKING LOT 19 TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN 20 INSIDE DPW 21 T A B L E T A B L E of Contents of Contents Derek Gabriel - Commissioner Department of Public Works DPW ON THE MOVE Welcome to our 2025 Year in Review. This year has been one of transformation — not just in the miles of roadway we’ve paved or the bridges we’ve repaired, but in the way we’ve come together as a team to reimagine transportation across the U.S. Virgin Islands. From the steep hills of St. Thomas to the winding roads of St. Croix and the shores of St. John, our shared commitment to progress has been visible in every project, every plan, and every partnership. Each challenge we faced became an opportunity to innovate. Each milestone we reached was the result of collaboration, dedication, and an unwavering belief in our collective mission — to build safer, stronger, and more resilient infrastructure for the people we serve. As we look back, we don’t just see the asphalt, steel, and concrete — we see the people behind it: the engineers, planners, field crews, administrators, and community partners whose hard work has driven every success. Today, we celebrate how far we’ve come, and we look ahead with excitement to what’s next. Together, we’re not just transforming transportation — we’re shaping the future of mobility and connectivity across these beautiful Virgin Islands we call home. Here’s to progress, partnership, and the journey ahead. MOVE ROADS ROADS 01 THIS YEAR’S KEY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AT A GLANCE DPW contractor – Marco St. Croix Inc. – began work on Airport Road on December 9, 2024, as part of the Route 64 Road Repairs Project. In July 2025, the full three-mile roadway was milled, paved, and striped. 4 02 AIRPORT ROAD, STX ROADS ROADS Under the department’s ongoing Emergency Road Repairs project to restore high-traffic roads, --- VI Paving Inc. --- successfully completed milling, paving, and striping of Plot L to 4T Lower Love in July 2025. ESTATE LOWER LOVE, STX POUNDING THE PAVEMENT ONE MILE AT A TIME 03 As part of the department’s ongoing effort to repair high-traffic roads under its Emergency Road Repairs project, --- Marco St. Croix, Inc. --- successfully completed milling, paving, and striping of Smithfield Road in July 2025. SMITHFIELD, STX ROADS ROADS ROADS ROADS 04 CLIFTON HILL, STX DPW contractor – Grace Civil – began the Clifton Hill Connector Project in August 2022, enhancing safety with a realigned roadway, a new right-turn lane near the Container Port Roadway, new streetlights, and improved drainage and sidewalks. 5 05 POUNDING THE PAVEMENT ONE MILE AT A TIME 06 This project involves comprehensive improvements along Ethel McIntosh Memorial Drive, including pavement rehabilitation, drainage system upgrades, retaining wall repairs, and installation of new guardrails, signage, and pavement markings. Work began in March 2025. As part of the department’s ongoing effort to repair high-traffic roads under its Emergency Road Repairs project, --- Marco St. Croix, Inc. --- successfully completed milling, paving, and striping of Contentment Road in July 2025. CONTENTMENT ROAD, STX ETHEL MCINTOSH MEMORIAL DRIVE, STX ROADS ROADS ROADS ROADS 6 POUNDING THE PAVEMENT ONE MILE AT A TIME 07 08 ROADS ROADS ROADS ROADS FIRST AVENUE, STT This project involves replacing storm drainage systems and restoring the entire roadway along First Avenue. Construction began in May 2024 and was completed in November 2025. LINDBERGH BAY CULVERT REPAIR 7 In October 2025, DPW contractor -- Island Roads Corporation -- completed repairs to a collapsed drainage culvert in the Lindbergh Bay area and also completed paving of the affected segment of the roadway. 09 POUNDING THE PAVEMENT ONE MILE AT A TIME 10 As part of the Downtown Drainage Project, DPW contractor -- Island Roads Corporation -- has completed milling and paving. The project also included the replacement of a historic box culvert to improve drainage along Wimmelskafts Gade, also known as Back Street. ROADS ROADS ROADS ROADS FISH FRY DRIVE, STJ 8 DPW contractor -- Island Roads Corporation – has completed necessary maintenance and emergency road repairs on Fish Fry Drive in Cruz Bay, St. John. The project scope included milling and paving the damaged roadway. This project was completed in December 2025. WIMMELSKAFTS GADE (BACK STREET), STT ROADS ROADS ROADS POUNDING THE PAVEMENT ONE MILE AT A TIME Estate Morning Star La Grande Princesse Estate Sion Farm Mahogany Welcome Recovery Hill Route 73 Grove Place La Grange Ariel Melchoir Jr. Drive Valley Road Meader Place Road Mountain Top Bolongo St. Thomas Building resilient infrastructure remained a priority throughout the year. Our department advanced this goal by addressing critical needs on major roadways and neighborhood streets. Below is a summary of several key road projects also completed this year. St. Croix 9 The Charlotte Amalie Downtown Drainage Project rehabilitated and reconstructed storm drainage infrastructure throughout the downtown historic district of Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas. Repairs to the stormwater system were necessary, as much of the existing infrastructure was outdated, with some components dating back to Danish times. The project consisted of improvements at 13 locations across the downtown area: CHARLOTTE AMALIE DOWNTOWN DRAINAGE Project Project 10 Crystal Gade Wimmelskafts Gade Domini Gade Nye Gade Palm Straede Store Gronne Gade Gamle Gade Regjerings Gade Strande Gade Kronprindsens Gade Norre Gade Bred Gade BRIDGE Strong foundations, stronger connections. This year marked continued momentum in restoring and strengthening St. Croix’s bridge network following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Through the support of Federal Highway Emergency Relief funds, work progressed on five major bridge projects: Calquohoun Bridge, East Airport Road Bridge, the Queen Mary Highway Temporary Bridge, Route 669 Bridge, and the Altona Lagoon Bridge. These federally funded efforts span multiple years and contracts, combining temporary solutions with long-term repairs to ensure reliable transportation infrastructure for the island’s future. Projects Projects 11 Completed Vincent Mason Pool Cramers Park Florence Williams Library Paul E. Joseph Stadium Cruz Bay Head Start Cruz Bay Tennis Court Emile Griffith Ballpark Enid Baa Library Charles Turnbull Library Emile Griffith Ballpark Lindberg Bay Head Start Bolongo Bay Head Start Minnetta Mitchell Head Start Under Construction Notable Projects The Capital Improvement Program office leads and regulates territorial coordination, management and delivery of all government capital improvement projects exceeding $500,000. This program provides critical administrative and professional engineering support services as it relates to the planning, construction, renovations and development of all government facilities for the Executive Branch. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS Division Division 12 The Division of Transportation is expecting some welcomed upgrades after combining grant funds of $2.7 million to design, fabricate, and deliver nine (9) new medium-duty fixed- route buses. The contract was executed, the buses are currently in production and they are expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2026. Grant funds were used to purchase twelve (12) new ADA paratransit vans. This purchase cost approximately $1.2 million and is necessary due to the increase in paratransit clientele and the retirement of vans that have surpassed their useful life. As part of the ongoing St. Croix Bus Shelter Renovations Project, VITRAN renovated two bus shelters in 2025, with three additional shelters expected in 2026. The project utilizes local small contractors, supporting both infrastructure improvements and the local economy. Transportation that moves communities forward. TRANSPORTATION Division Division 13 Building to honor, restoring to remember. The Western Cemetery Project on St. Thomas is 75% completed. The project focused on the perimeter wall and monument signage. Also included in the scope were the installation of gates, sidewalks, and additional lettering along the cemetery walls. ADA- compliant ramps and aluminum gates will also be added at Western Cemetery #1 and #3. The Western Cemetery project is part of a series of upgrades and improvements dedicated to preserving these sacred resting spaces. In St. Croix, a new veteran section at the Kingshill Cemetery was added, and crypts for the Territory’s veterans were constructed. Other projects include a new columbarium and mausoleums at Smith Bay Eastern Cemetery, as well as the completed refurbishment of the Cyril E. King Mausoleum earlier this year. On the digital front, DPW continues to utilize the iWorQ Management System to digitize burial records, with 9,552 records entered territory-wide. In 2025, the St. Thomas/St. John District recorded 313 burials, while St. Croix recorded 333. WESTERN CEMETERY WALL Project Project 14 OPERATIONS Division Division POUNDING THE PAVEMENT ONE MILE AT A TIME The Operations Division is comprised of four units. They are responsible for the maintenance of public roadways and highways; public cemeteries; government buildings; as well as our fleet of heavy equipment and trucks throughout the territory. The Division completed hundreds of projects for 2025 territory-wide. These projects included construction projects, sidewalk repairs, guardrail repairs and installations, road patching, gut cleaning, maintenance and roadside cleaning. 15 Operations Operations Division Division Sandbag Distribution Gut Cleaning Street Cleanup with the Sweeper Tropical Storm Ernesto Emergency Road Clearing Work Crews Patching Bus Stop Retaining Wall GARVEE GARVEE Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) A GARVEE is a type of anticipation vehicle, which is a debt instrument issued when money is anticipated from a specific source. It plays a crucial role in advancing the upfront funding of a particular need, especially in transportation finance. The anticipation vehicle's revenue source is the expected Federal Aid grants, which are received on an annual basis. June 5, 2025, Governor Bryan, DPW Commissioner Derek Gabriel, and Federal Highway Program Manager Jomo McClean, executed the successful closing of the latest GARVEE issuance of $152M to fund major infrastructure projects and to pay off the existing debt associated with the previous issuance. Projects Projects 16 GARVEE GARVEE Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) The funding will directly support three critical infrastructure priorities: • The long-awaited ferry service between St. Croix and St. Thomas will now become a reality, reconnecting our islands and opening new pathways for commerce, travel, and unity. • Completion of Veterans Drive Phase 2A on St. Thomas, a project that will modernize our waterfront and create a safer, more beautiful thoroughfare for residents and visitors alike. • $28 million in road reconstruction and improvement projects on St. Croix, addressing long-standing concerns and making our roads safer and more efficient for everyone. South Side Road - Route 62 - St. Croix East Scenic Road (Praxedes Nieves Ridge Road) - Route 78 - St. Croix North Shore Road (Sidney Lee Road) - Route 80 - St. Croix 17 Projects Projects SPIRIT SPIRIT of 1733 of 1733 Building transit that carries more than passengers—it carries progress. The Spirit of 1733 was commissioned by the VI Department of Public Works in 2023 to primarily service Route 32M between Red Hook, St. Thomas and Cruz Bay, St. John as a part of the Ferry Transportation Program, one of the oldest operating ferry programs in the country. Chosen by the community as a lasting celebration of the rich history, culture and traditions of the U.S Virgin Islands, the vessel’s name, the Spirit of 1733, honors our brave ancestors on St. John who successfully rebelled against their enslavers. 18 CHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN Fort Fort Major renovations to the Fort Christian Parking Lot on St. Thomas began in January 2025 and were completed in September 2025. The upgraded facility now features a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week payment system for added convenience. Work included milling and paving, bollard installation, ADA ramp upgrades, water line installation (for Carnival booths), striping, and numbering. The lot temporarily reopened in April for the 2025 Carnival and closed immediately after to finish construction. Upgrades include a Pay-on-Foot (POF) system, free EV charging stations, numbered spaces, and reflective signage. Both exits will now be in use. Cash, debit, and credit card payments can be made at the main entrance, while pass holders and credit card users may exit through the North gate. Parking Lot Parking Lot 19 MASTER MASTER Plan Plan Transportation Transportation Smart Growth for a Connected Community The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Public Works (DPW) is leading the development of the Comprehensive Master Transportation Plan (CMTP). The CMTP provides the Territory with a strategic direction and a framework through 2050 to improve transportation infrastructure and create a more cohesive multimodal transportation network. The CMTP is based on current and future transportation trends and needs within and between the islands in the Territory, across all transportation modes. The plan outlines 4 key goals: Funding Existing Projects Existing Conditions Priority Projects A key guiding principle of the CMTP is the Complete Streets approach —an integrated planning and design process that ensures streets are safe and accessible for all users, regardless of age or ability. This includes pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transit riders. For more information on the 2040 and 2050 Transportation plan visit dpw.vi.gov. 20 INSIDE INSIDE DPW Week DPW Week Tourist for a Day VITRAN Appreciation Breakfast Fraco Day Tourist for a Day Hats and Sneakers Day DPW Cleanup INSIDE INSIDE DPW DPW DPW Week Bowling Spirit of 1733 Ferry Commissioning Valentine’s Day Public Enemies Softball Team National Engineers Week Kayaking Field Trip AGENCIES AGENCIES Public Enemies Public Enemies Battle of the Battle of the St. Thomas St. Thomas St. Croix St. Croix DPW 2025 ST. THOMAS/ ST. JOHN EDITION Mister & Miss Cliniyah Gumbs Cristal R. Spikes Wilburn Saddler Jr. Derron Jordan Techelle Evans Saitah N. Aubain Tamara S. Phillips 2025 DPW Contestants Jermaine McClean & Géné Serrano Jermaine McClean & Géné Serrano YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW 2 0 2 5