Government Signs Sabbath Hill Rehabilitation Contract and
The Government of the Virgin Islands has moved ahead with multiple road infrastructure projects in December, signing a $712,649.52 contract with Purcell’s Construction for stabilisation and drainage works at Sabbath Hill and, two weeks later, a $14,088,620.02 contract with Tortola Paving Company Limited to pave nine miles from Road Town to West End. Both contracts, announced in separate Government press releases, underscore the administration’s push to upgrade roads across the Territory and were described by Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley and Minister for Communications and Works Kye Rymer as part of a broader programme of rehabilitation and maintenance backed by loan funding for infrastructure.
The Government of the Virgin Islands completed two significant contract signings in December aimed at addressing long-standing road deterioration and improving public safety and transport across Tortola. On December 9, the Government signed a $712,649.52 contract with Purcell’s Construction for the construction of retaining walls, road pavement and drainage works at Sabbath Hill.
The Ministry of Communications and Works said the project is intended to address deterioration and safety concerns reported by residents and to improve roadside stability and drainage, reducing flooding and hazards on that stretch. Albert Purcell, co-owner of Purcell’s Construction, thanked the Government for awarding his company the tender and pledged to follow contract guidelines to deliver the project on schedule and on budget, according to the Government release.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley described the signing as evidence of the Government’s commitment to upgrading Territory infrastructure. "I want to express my appreciation to the Minister and the Ministry for the work that they have been doing to rehabilitate the infrastructure in the Virgin Islands," he said, adding that continued tendering and contractor engagement has produced firms "who are serious about getting the job done." Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye Rymer called the Sabbath Hill contract a critical step toward remedying the road’s long-standing deterioration and associated safety risks and expressed confidence in the contractor’s track record.
Two weeks later, on December 23, the Government announced what it described as the largest contract in the Territory’s history for road rehabilitation. The Government signed a $14,088,620.02 contract with Tortola Paving Company Limited to pave nine miles of road from the Road Town Ferry Terminal to the West End Ferry Terminal, according to a Government press release.
Premier Wheatley said the signing represented a major milestone in the Government’s road programme and expressed the hope that the works would deliver roads "that will last us for the next 30, 40 years." Minister Rymer noted that the administration secured a $100 million loan, of which $34,800,000 was allocated for road infrastructure, and that the ministry prioritised "the most important roads" including the West End to Road Town corridor.
Rymer added that the scope includes kerb walls, revetment works and a beaded centreline to modernise the route. Ritter, Manager of Tortola Paving Company Limited, thanked the Government and emphasised the importance of ongoing maintenance so the newly paved roads can reach the longevity targets discussed at the signing.
Both ministries said these projects form part of continued efforts to develop and maintain public infrastructure to international standards. While the Sabbath Hill notice did not include a detailed construction timetable, officials typically provide advance public advisories about traffic diversions, closures and safety measures once work commences.
For media enquiries, the Government listed Paul Bridgewater, Information Officer, Department of Information and Public Relations, as a contact.
Primary source: BVI Government