St. Croix, USVI: History, Traditions and Future Projects for the Next Millennium
The Puerto Rico Transportation Technology Transfer Center has been providing technical assistance through seminars and workshops to local transportation officials in the US Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John) for almost 14 years.
In this edition of El Puente we will take our readers in an imaginary journey to one of the most beautiful islands in the caribbean, St. Croix. A summary of the on-going and future projects sponsored by the Virgin Islands Public Works Department are also described in this article.
Christopher Columbus encountered the Carib Indians in the Virgin Islands on his second voyage in 1493. Impressed by the beauty of the Virgin Islands and their numbers, he named them “ The Virgins” after the legend of the beautiful St. Ursula and her 11,000 virgins.
St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with 84 square miles and a population of 55,000 residents. The local people are referred to as “Crucians”. There are two main towns, Christiansted and Fredericksted. St. Croix is known for its historic Danish architecture making it a national historic site. St. Croix is known as the “quiet virgin”. Once an agricultural haven in the plantation days when sugar was king, there were more than 300 mansions and today there are many ruins of sugar plantations with their proud towers and windmills. Today, it is still one of the most charming islands in the Caribbean. French and British Colonist became engaged in agriculture in the early 1600’s. Then in 1650, the Spaniards ousted the English and later that same year, the French drove out the Spanish. In 1653, St. Croix ceded to the knights of Malta and order of Crusaders who reached their peak of power during the Middle Ages. However, due to their lack of interest in this possession, they subsequently sold St. Croix to the French. In 1733, Denmark bought St. Croix and held the Virgin Islands continuously until 1917 when they sold to the United States. The Virgin Islands has been under seven flags. St. Croix’s rich history and traditions have continued on for generations in the spirit of its people. Governor Charles W. Trundle and Lieutenant Governor Gerard Luz James, II are at the helm of the Virgin Islands Government and are proudly charting a course to bring the people of this Territory into the 21st Century. They, like their ancestors before them, hold the strong belief in their hearts that the Virgin Islands must prosper and be preserved for future generations. Many Crucians believe that St. Croix is the saving grace of the Virgin Islands. Right now, it is poised to make its economic impact in the tourism market.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is working to do its part to ensure that this happens. Public Works is the lead governmental agency, which is responsible for the infrastructure and transportation of the Virgin Islands. Through its many capital improvement projects in the past and presently, DPW is striving to get the job done.
On July 3, 1998, The Virgin Islands celebrated its 150th year of Emancipation and DPW was tasked with the project of preparing the Budhoe Park in Fredericksted where activities were held to commemorate this grand event. The results were impressive and the effects long-lasting. Today, residents and tourist alike enjoy the changes that were made to preserve the culture of the island.
Currently,
the department is working on several projects that will enhance the tourism
industry. The St. Croix Island-Wide Pavement Preservation Project is one
of several preservation projects planned for St. Croix over the next three
years. A number of areas will be rehabilitated, particularly the South
Shore Road which leads to the newly renovated Divi Carina Hotel and Casino,
Estate Mon Bijou Roads and Constitution Road. The work includes removal
of existing concrete sidewalk, roadway excavation, placement of aggregate
base, hot asphalt concrete pavement wedge or leveling, hot asphalt concrete
pavement, shoulder and ditch reconditioning, installation of guardrails,
pavement markings and other miscellaneous work. Future plans are to build
a Christiansted Boardwalk, which will connect the downtown businesses
to Gallows Bay this will aid in growing the business community in that
area. Phase I of the long awaited Christiansted By-Pass will soon begin
and it proposes to run from existing Contentment Road in the area of Estate
Contentment East to the intersection of Hospital Street/East End Road
and Mount Welcome Road. This project will alleviate much congestion in
the downtown Christiansted area, thereby allowing residents and visitors
the opportunity for easier access when traveling in that area.
When the new millennium rings in at midnight on January 1, 2000, Point Udall on St. Croix will be the first area in the United States that ushers in the 21st Century. This celebration is expected to attract worldwide media coverage and many events will take place at Point Udall and all over the island. A millennium Monument will commemorate this event. This work of art is the two Roman Numeral M’s crossing at the center point, 90 degrees to each other.
The door to the 21st Century is beckoning the United States Virgin Islands to enter and make its mark globally. It promises to be filled with challenges as well as triumphs and the Department of Public Works stands ready, willing and capable to do its part to ensure that our history reflects our contributions and preparedness on all levels.
In our next edition, we will continue our journey to the island of St. Thomas.