By the Caribbean Journal staff
Another major airport project could be coming to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Less than two months after the initial designs were revealed on St Thomas’ $230 million airport transformation project, the island of St Croix got its first look at its own proposed airport revamp.
The proposed project would be both a terminal expansion and modernization of the Henry E. Rohlsen airport, the initial operations of which date back to 1948.
The initial renderings were released to the media this week.
Virgin Islands Port Authority David Mapp. Sr, executive director of the Virgin Islands Port Authority, revealed the initial design charrette on the project, joined by airport consultant Moshen Mohammadi of Tampa, Fla.-based American Infrastructure Development.
The current plan would include the addition of a second level; integration of jet bridges; increased concession and retail space; improved passenger flow and expanded baggage handling.
The airport would also incorporate the tropical landscape and make improvements to assist with vehicular traffic flow, according to the design charrette.
The Port Authority is receiving questions and concerns on the proposal through Oct. 31, according to a statement.
A transformed airport could be a game-changer for St Croix, which has been making an admirable comeback from last year’s storms and seeing a rapidly-expanding tourism profile thanks to exciting developments in both Christiansted and Frederiskted.
— CJ