BVI Signs Major Road Contracts Including Largest-Ever
In December the Government of the Virgin Islands advanced two major road contracts: a $712,649.52 agreement with Purcell’s Construction for retaining walls, pavement and drainage at Sabbath Hill, and a $14,088,620.02 contract with Tortola Paving Company Limited to rehabilitate about nine miles of roadway from Road Town to West End. Officials described the paving agreement as the largest contract in the Territory’s history and said it is part of a broader capital plan funded by a $100 million loan with $34.8 million earmarked for road infrastructure. Both contracts aim to improve safety, resilience and travel times, and officials warned of phased construction and intermittent disruptions as work proceeds (government release; Guavaberry; BVI News).
The Government of the Virgin Islands moved forward in December with two significant road contracts as part of an expanded effort to rehabilitate and modernise the Territory’s transport infrastructure. On Tuesday, December 9, the government signed a $712,649.52 contract with Purcell’s Construction to construct retaining walls, carry out road pavement works and improve drainage at Sabbath Hill, according to a government release and reporting by Guavaberry.
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley attended the signing and described it as evidence of the Government’s continued commitment to upgrading infrastructure, saying "as days, weeks, and months and years go by, we are seeing a difference" (Guavaberry). Works Minister the Honourable Kye Rymer thanked the Premier for ensuring funding was available and called the contract a critical step in addressing long-standing deterioration of the road, expressing confidence in Purcell’s experience to deliver efficiently and within budget (Guavaberry).
Purcell’s co-owner Albert Purcell thanked the Government and pledged to finish the Sabbath Hill works on budget and on time, saying he would "do my best to get this project complete on budget and on time" (Guavaberry). Officials said residents should see safety and accessibility improvements as work progresses, and the Ministry noted that further related projects are expected into 2026 (government release).
The Ministry also warned of phased construction and intermittent disruptions as crews carry out paving, drainage and protective works (government release). Two weeks later, on Tuesday, December 23, the Government signed what officials called the largest contract in the Territory’s history: a $14,088,620.02 agreement with Tortola Paving Company Limited to pave approximately nine miles of roadway from the Road Town Ferry Terminal to the West End Ferry Terminal (government release; BVI News; Guavaberry).
Premier Wheatley said the signing represented the biggest single contract the Virgin Islands has awarded for road rehabilitation and praised the Ministry of Communications and Works for steady effort, telling attendees that the minister "has displayed" commitment and hard work that "revealed itself in this contract signing here today" (Guavaberry).
Works Minister Kye Rymer told reporters the paving contract is part of a broader capital plan funded by a $100 million loan, with $34.8 million set aside specifically for road infrastructure. He said the package prioritises the main east–west corridor and includes resurfacing as well as kerb walls, revetment, drainage improvements, centreline markings and beaded centreline work to modernise the route and strengthen resilience against coastal and storm impacts (government release; BVI News; Guavaberry).
Manager of Tortola Paving Company Limited Kimberly R. Ritter thanked the Government for the award and urged ongoing maintenance to extend pavement life, noting officials have set an ambitious goal for road surfaces to last 30 to 40 years with proper upkeep. Ritter added that roads commonly last 20–30 years depending on maintenance and encouraged continued investment to protect the new works (Guavaberry).
For residents, the combined projects promise smoother commutes, safer local roads—especially at Sabbath Hill—improved access for business and tourism, and better emergency-service connectivity. The Ministry said additional projects will be rolled out as financing and priorities are confirmed (government release).
Primary source: BVI Government