A three-day symposium on transportation issues opened Tuesday on St. Thomas, and gave local officials chance to receive some praise for recent improvements in local systems.
Delegate Donna M. Christensen gave the keynote address at the Third Research to Practice Symposium on the Implementation of EDC Initiatives in the Virgin Islands. The symposium was a joint presentation of the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works and the Puerto Rico Transportation Technology Transfer Center.
“The implementation of the “Every Day Counts” transportation initiatives in the Virgin Islands is a critically important component as we move forward with the implementation of an integrated transportation system to serve the needs of the USVI community,” Christensen said. The mission, she said, “is to foster a safe, efficient and environmentally sound surface transportation system by improving skills and increasing knowledge of the transportation workforce and decision makers.”
Christensen congratulated V.I. Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls on acquiring two new 84-foot ferries and new buses to replace VITRAN’s aging fleet, noting that the units they are replacing were all funded by grants in 2005.
Tuesday’s program focused on initiatives aimed at identifying and deploying the latest technologic innovation aimed at shortening project delivery, enhancing the safety of roadways and protecting the environment.
Christensen said, “I have taken a look at some of the Virgin Islands traffic accident statistics and I am impressed that since 2012 we have seen a reduction in total crashes, injuries and fatalities.” Noting that vehicular fatalities seem to be on the rise, she said that “the goal of the symposium to utilize the best traffic management research, and translating it into practice in the territory is timely and important to saving lives and improving the quality of life for those of us who live here and also for our visitors.”
The symposium continues through Thursday.
