Government House briefing outlines veterans travel aid, St. Croix road work and recovery event

Government House said on October 20 that the V.I. Office of Veterans Affairs had partnered with Fly the Whale Airlines to cover airfare for eligible St. Croix veterans traveling to Puerto Rico for VA medical appointments.

According to the briefing, the arrangement applied to non-service-connected veterans and could also cover a travel companion when medically necessary. Eligible veterans were instructed to present written confirmation of their VA appointments to the Office of Veterans Affairs on St. Croix, which would arrange the travel.

Government House also said the Estate Colquhoun Bridge on Midland Road on St. Croix reopened on October 17 after final inspections, signage installation and traffic-control checks.

Officials said a separate road project began on October 20 on Centerline Road on St. Croix. For about 45 days, the road was scheduled to be closed to vehicular traffic between the Sunshine Mall west exit and Carlton while the Department of Public Works and contractor VI Paving Inc. replaced a box culvert. Government House said detours, signage and traffic control would be in place and that emergency access would be maintained for nearby residents and businesses.

The briefing also announced Rebuild USVI Industry Day 2025, scheduled for October 27 at the Westin Beach Resort on St. Thomas and October 29 at the University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. Government House said the event would connect local contractors and suppliers with prime contractors involved in federally funded reconstruction projects.

Government House said registration for local businesses would remain open through October 22 and that the next Government House press briefing was scheduled for October 27, 2025.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/government-house-weekly-briefing-highlights-veterans-road-and-recovery-updates/