Press Release No. 047
Date: October 16, 2003
Contact: Angela Johnson / Phone 773-6449

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR VARGRAVE RICHARDS URGES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION TO MOVE CAPITAL PROJECTS FORWARD

Lieutenant Governor Vargrave Richards earlier this week urged the Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Highway Administration to fast-forward major capital projects that will infuse millions of federal dollars into the St. Croix economy.

The Lieutenant Governor corresponded Tuesday with Colonel Robert M. Carpenter, District Engineer, Army Corps of Engineers, to expedite a permit to allow Phase IIA of the Christiansted Boardwalk construction to proceed.

"I respectfully ask that you make this a critical priority," Richards wrote. "I cannot overemphasize enough the severe economic conditions St. Croix is barely surviving under. The hardship is forcing many of our most skilled workers to seek employment outside of the Territory. A project such as the Christiansted Boardwalk Phase IIA can become a symbol and component that St. Croix's economy can move towards sustainable and healthy recovery."

Lieutenant Governor Richards also corresponded Wednesday with Federal Highway Administration Executive Director Frederick G. Wright to push forth agreements to allow for the procurement of services to resurface Midland Road on St. Croix.

Richards noted in his letter that the resurfacing project is "a matter of significant importance to the Government and people of the United States Virgin Islands. Specifically we seek your approval to proceed."

Tasked with the oversight of economic recovery on the island of St. Croix, Lieutenant Governor Richards set up weekly meetings with the Capital Projects Committee to ensure that the development initiatives move forward.

"We must maintain a sense of urgency to get the St. Croix economy on the upswing," Richards said. "Working together, we will succeed."