Public Works outlines road and bridge progress; senators criticize pace, contractor performance at Polly Joseph Stadium

Department of Public Works told the Senate Budget committee on Feb. 18 that it has reopened bridges and is advancing multiple road and drainage projects across the territory, while acknowledging remaining schedule and contractor-performance risks on several larger contracts.

Commissioner Derek Gabriel and his senior staff gave progress reports for St. Croix and St. Thomas. On St. Croix, the permanent bridge on East Airport Road opened Feb. 3 and a temporary adjacent route reopened Feb. 14. Airport Road paving was about 70% complete, and Clifton Hill Connector work and utility relocations were in final phases. Subject projects listed anticipated completion dates ranging from March to September 2025, dependent on materials and delivery schedules.

Senators, however, pressed hardest over the stalled Poly Joseph Stadium on St. Croix, a long-running construction project. Assistant Executive Delivery Manager Tawana (Tawanna) Nicholas told the committee the project had $25,054,254.64 in approved invoices paid to date and a remaining balance of $7,069,745.36 on a roughly $32 million contract. Several senators described visiting the site and finding minimal on-site labor; Senator Franklin Johnson said he had routinely seen “two men” working and called the pace “unacceptable.”

Nicholas and Commissioner Gabriel said part of the earlier delay was tied to Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements — including a conditional letter of map revision (CLOMAR) related to floodplain siting after the 2017 storms — and that the department is reviewing a contractor delay claim. Gabriel said the project schedule now targets completion in late 2025 but acknowledged risk from prior pauses and uneven on-site staffing.

The department also listed current and upcoming GARVEE- and federal-aid projects including Veterans Drive phase 2 work, resurfacing of Saint Croix road segments, and a passenger ferry design and procurement allocation. DPW officials said they are adding staff, using consultants and working with the Super PMO on recovery-funded construction bundles to accelerate work.

Senators asked for contract documents, liquidated-damages clauses and vendor payment histories; Gabriel said procurement custody is held by the Department of Property and Procurement and agreed to provide contract details as directed by the committee.

Despite the progress reports, senators signaled they may demand stronger contractor accountability and tighter project oversight for large public works projects in the coming months.