The final public meeting of the drafting period for the proposed 2050 transportation plan was held Thursday on St. Thomas, where residents discussed congestion, road conditions and calls for safer walking and bicycle infrastructure ahead of the plan’s anticipated summer release.
Planners summarized territorywide transportation concerns and reviewed proposed projects, asking participants to identify gaps, priorities and potential unintended consequences.
While the overall 2050 plan identifies 76 projects across the territory, Thursday’s discussion on St. Thomas focused on 27 local proposals, including safety and operations upgrades, sidewalk and bike improvements, and new or expanded transit and maritime connections.
The Department of Public Works says the 2050 plan builds on the earlier 2040 effort and will serve as a long-range framework for transportation investments through midcentury, addressing roadways, sidewalks, trails, ferries, transit and other modes of travel across the territory. It is intended to help the territory compete for federal funding, coordinate priorities among agencies and give the public a clearer view of proposed projects.
“A lot of the funding will need to come from grants, and that’s why having the plan and that list of priorities matters,” said Maya Miller, deputy project manager for WSP, the consulting firm working with the Department of Public Works on the 2050 plan. “These grants can work for specific projects because they align with what’s already been identified.”
Accessibility also emerged as a concern, with residents urging planners to prioritize universal design rather than one-off sidewalk segments. Many noted that people using wheelchairs or walkers are often forced into the roadway when paths abruptly end or lack ramps.
Curtis Gomez, a resident attending the meeting, emphasized the need for safer and more accessible sidewalks. “I’m all for the sidewalks,” he said. “Give people a way to move in an alternative way if they choose, other than jumping into a car… especially accessible sidewalks, because I’ve seen many instances where people in wheelchairs get to a point and can’t go any further.”
Tourism-heavy routes were cited as especially in need of improved walking infrastructure, with visitors often walking along narrow roads. Residents highlighted areas near the hospital, downtown Charlotte Amalie, Skyline, Tutu, Red Hook, Smith Bay and other high-traffic corridors.
Transit reliability and public information were also recurring concerns. Limited or unclear route details and uncertainty about bus arrival times were described as barriers to ridership. Suggestions included real-time tracking tools, updated maps and clearer schedules, along with ensuring affordable transit options are available to all residents.
Residents supported additional water-based options but raised concerns about limited parking, park-and-ride capacity and the visual and environmental impacts of new waterfront parking structures.
One attendee said the goal should be to shift drivers out of their cars rather than add more lanes on already crowded roads. “Our ultimate goal is to reduce cars on the island,” the resident said. “I personally don’t see anything wrong with trying to develop more water services.”
Entirely new roadway links were proposed in part to gauge public reaction. While attendees generally agreed on the need to improve emergency redundancy and ease pressure on existing corridors, many cautioned that new roads could accelerate development, reduce remaining green space and alter the character of still-rural areas. Residents urged planners to evaluate reopening or upgrading existing alignments before carving out entirely new corridors.
Informal roadside parking at Brewers Bay and Lindbergh Bay was described as creating conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians. Participants recommended better-defined parking areas and safer access near beachfronts and food truck clusters, as well as lighting and visibility improvements along north side routes.
Despite differing views on individual proposals, attendees broadly agreed on the need to make existing corridors safer and more walkable, improve transit reliability and information, combine multiple transportation options rather than rely on a single mode and protect key natural assets while addressing congestion and safety concerns. Planners said the feedback will be incorporated into the draft 2050 project list ahead of the summer 2026 publication.
