Having been tasked by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull to oversee economic development on St. Croix, Lt. Governor Vargrave Richards has worked diligently on fast-tracking a number of capital projects for the island. Approximately $66 million has been spent in the last three years to improve the island's infrastructure. His overall approach was to capitalize on the assets of St. Croix, utilize federal funds and tax exempt bond proceeds to drive capital projects, and to restore the confidence of the private sector to encourage investment in St. Croix.  He has gotten things done!

Here is a list of completed capital projects on St. Croix that Lt. Governor Richards has been directly involved in pushing forward:

Charles Harwood Phase II

This $5.2 million project to renovate the old hospital is complete and has provided new offices and complete consilidation of all the services and the administrative needs for the Department of Health.

Sunday Market Square

A $1.5 million project to rebuild the historical square at the entrance of Christansted represents a classic private/public sector partnership. The project included putting in new sidewalks, installing decorative bricks and granite curbing, restoring an old Danish well, planting 25-foot mahogany trees along the street and laying underground utility lines. After a year of construction, it was opened in February 2005.

Christiansted Boardwalk Phase IIA

An approximately 400-feet extension of the Christiansted boardwalk leading to the seaplane terminal was completed at the end of 2005. The project cost $1 million and will allow seaplane passengers, as well as residents and visitors, to take a leisurely stroll right into Christiansted, enjoying the beautiful waterfront and view.

Several more capital projects to improve the infrastructure on St. Croix are still in progress and are expected to be completed shortly. These projects are:

Mon Bijou Flood Control Project

Construction on this long-awaited project is expected to finish in the summer of 2006 and have already relieved residents of the neighborhood from experiencing substantial flooding during and after heavy rains. The project, which had been delayed for more than many years, cost $12.7 million and – using rock-filled gabion baskets to stop the torrent flow – will channel water from the gut into a man-made channel north of the Mon Bijou and Glynn communities and diverts the storm water runoff from Blue Mountain around the neighborhood, providing 100-year storm protection.

Mon Bijou Bridge Project

This is a $4.6 million project to build two bridge crossings over the Mon Bijou gut areas. It is the second phase of the above-mentioned Mon Bijou project and is expected be completed in early 2007.

Midland Road/Calquohoun Road

After much delay, the project to repair one of the major roads on St. Croix began in January 2006. The $4.6 million reconstruction project will take nine months and will also entail replacing 11,000 feet of a 12-inch water main along the road. Work is slated to be completed in August 2006.

Upcoming projects:

Christiansted Boardwalk Phase IIb

This phase has an anticipated cost of $2.3 million and will extend the boardwalk to Gallows Bay. Lt. Governor Richards has called the completion of this phase integral for the proposed development of the Gallows Bay Marina. It is expected to begin in 2006.