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HomeNewsArchivesSouth Shore Residents Voice Safety Concerns Over Proposed Bike Path

South Shore Residents Voice Safety Concerns Over Proposed Bike Path

Public Works Commissioner Daryl Smalls (left) and Bob White, president of Cruzan Bikeways, listen to residents concerns.A handful of residents voiced their concerns about safety on the proposed South Shore Road bike path at a public information meeting hosted by the Department of Public Works Tuesday. Residents’ issues ranged from people exercising pit bulls on the path to cars careening off the road and hitting people.
The path is promoted by supporters and founders as a shared-use "safe place" for joggers, walkers, skaters and bicyclists to exercise and enjoy the beauty of St. Croix.
The 14.5-mile-long, 12-foot-wide asphalt path will run along South Shore Road from Estate Humbug, near Hovensa, to Point Udall.
Charles A. Fink, president of Greenways Inc., designers of the path, gave a presentation entitled, "Cruzan Pathway, A Path to Health and Safety.” Fink told the 30 people in attendance of the incredible need for safe accessible pathways for active lifestyles and recreation.
Local resident Christina Gasperi said she has seen numerous accidents and people speeding on South Shore Road, including police.
She asked if V.I. Public Works could do anything about putting a dip in the road on the straight sections to slow cars down. She also commented on the motorcyclists who open it up on the straightaway and the fears she has of them doing the same on the bike path.
Public Works Commissioner Daryl Smalls said that was another issue, but it will be taken into consideration in the plans for the project that goes to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA).
Gasperi also brought up the fact that St. Croix is "pit bull heaven" and residents’ concerns about people training dogs on the path. Bob White, president of Cruzan Bikeways, said the trail will have a leash law or exclude dogs.
David Crowther was concerned about the possibility of people on the path at night and what security measures will be used. White said the hours on the path will be from dawn to dusk.
Smalls said there isn’t enough manpower in the police department for law enforcement specifically for the path, but there are other authorities, such as DPNR and Housing, Parks and Recreation, for enforcement.
Cruzan Bikeways has set up a management and operation plan for monitoring, maintenance and liability issues.
Neil Mahar, from DPW, was on hand to answer questions residents had about easements and right-of-ways. Proponents of the bike path said the majority of the landowners surrounding the path are on board with the project.
DPW official Wystan Benjamin said the final design, based on input from the meeting, will be turned in to FHA; once approved, he said, the plans go to Coastal Zone Management and the DPNR for final permitting.
“This isn’t a complicated project, and the process is moving along at a good pace,” Benjamin said. “Maybe groundbreaking will be before the end of the year.”
“After seven and a half years we are finally at the end of the process,” White said as he smiled from ear to ear.
The construction of the path is financed by FHA at a cost of $4 million. The project is supported with grants from Hovensa, the St. Croix Economic Development Fund, and private and corporate contributions.

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