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September 16, 2007
Government acquires parcel of property to ease traffic snarls at bottom of Raphune Hill In a bid to ease traffic congestion at the foot of Raphune Hill on St. Thomas, the Virgin Islands Government has acquired a small parcel of property adjacent to the Wheatley Shopping Center. The property in question, presently owned by Lockhart Realty, Inc., was slated to be acquired in future years as part of the overall Raphune Hill Improvement Project. Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. said Sunday the acquisition of the property was expedited as there became an increased need to address nagging traffic concerns to both residents and visitors who frequently sit in traffic snarls for extended periods of time as they traverse this area. "Commissioner Darryl Smalls and representatives of The Lockhart Companies successfully negotiated for the immediate transfer of this parcel." DeJongh noted that though small in size, the acquired parcel of property will mitigate the traffic congestion faced on a daily basis as motorists traverse this heavily-utilized intersection. Smalls said the property "will allow for the installation of an additional lane which will minimize the traffic bottleneck currently experienced by motorists traveling down Raphune Hill, specifically, those motorists who are attempting to travel South towards Mandela Circle or North towards Schneider Regional Medical Center." Lockhart Realty Inc. President/Chief Operating Officer Etienne Bertrand said over the weekend that for many years the company has been seeking out the support of the government to structure a traffic pattern which would ease the congestion at the bottom of Raphune Hill. "I am pleased that we could assist the Government in getting this project off and running. We stand at the ready to assist necessary to continue the momentum that has been started in the deJongh-Francis administration towards resolving long-standing day to day challenges to residents and visitors alike." Smalls cautioned that this temporary measure will not completely eliminate the traffic congestion, but it will bring immediate relief to the motoring public who experience the day-to-day bumper traffic. |
