The Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) has confirmed that mature trees lining DeCastro Street will be removed and replaced as part of the approximately $798,000 sidewalk improvement project scheduled to begin this month.
The confirmation came in a press release issued Friday afternoon, following growing public concerns surrounding the proposed removal of the trees and the absence of a response from Fourth District Representative and Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith.
BVI Platinum News had contacted Hodge-Smith on August 26, but despite indicating that a response would be provided within two days, none had been received when an article in the planned works was published earlier today.
According to the RDA, the affected trees include mature Mahogany, White Cedar and Yellow Poui trees, which have become a defining feature of DeCastro Street and provide considerable shade throughout the busy commercial corridor.
The agency stated that project engineers and the contractor assessed the trees and determined that they would need to be replaced because their established root systems are located beneath the sidewalks and parking areas and would inevitably be damaged during demolition.
The RDA also blamed aggressive tree roots for lifting and fracturing sections of the existing pavement, creating uneven surfaces and obstructions, particularly for persons with disabilities, older residents, children and other pedestrians.
“The RDA recognises the community’s connection to the trees, the history they represent, and the shade they provide,” the agency stated.
Bottlebrush and Verawood Bulnesia trees have been selected as replacements because they are considered salt-tolerant and have less aggressive root systems, making them better suited to the saline conditions in the Wickham’s Cay area.
The RDA did not disclose how many mature trees would be removed, the size or maturity of the replacement trees, whether an independent arborist or environmental specialist had examined the existing trees, or when the new trees would be planted.
People’s Leadership Movement leader and former Fourth District Representative Mark Vanterpool had called for the project to be temporarily paused until the Government provided a fuller explanation of the tree removal and released the technical evidence supporting the decision.
Vanterpool said the trees appeared healthy during a recent inspection of the project area and questioned whether the sidewalks, drains and parking spaces could be improved while preserving them.
He also called for meaningful consultation before any irreversible work begins.
In the RDA release, Hodge-Smith said the project would make Road Town safer, more accessible and easier to navigate.
“This project is about making Road Town work better for everyone. By improving the infrastructure, safety, accessibility, appearance and user-friendliness of this important corridor, we are creating a capital that is easier to navigate and better positioned to support commerce, public services and community life,” she stated.
The $798,108.74 project, financed by the Government and being executed by TMB Enterprises, includes the demolition and reconstruction of the sidewalks, restoration of drainage infrastructure, landscaping and the construction of six-foot-wide sidewalks compliant with accessibility standards.
Most of the work is expected to take place at night to reduce disruption to businesses, motorists and pedestrians.
The contract has a duration of 120 days, with completion projected for February 2027.
The confirmation came in a press release issued Friday afternoon, following growing public concerns surrounding the proposed removal of the trees and the absence of a response from Fourth District Representative and Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith.
BVI Platinum News had contacted Hodge-Smith on August 26, but despite indicating that a response would be provided within two days, none had been received when an article in the planned works was published earlier today.
According to the RDA, the affected trees include mature Mahogany, White Cedar and Yellow Poui trees, which have become a defining feature of DeCastro Street and provide considerable shade throughout the busy commercial corridor.
The agency stated that project engineers and the contractor assessed the trees and determined that they would need to be replaced because their established root systems are located beneath the sidewalks and parking areas and would inevitably be damaged during demolition.
The RDA also blamed aggressive tree roots for lifting and fracturing sections of the existing pavement, creating uneven surfaces and obstructions, particularly for persons with disabilities, older residents, children and other pedestrians.
“The RDA recognises the community’s connection to the trees, the history they represent, and the shade they provide,” the agency stated.
Bottlebrush and Verawood Bulnesia trees have been selected as replacements because they are considered salt-tolerant and have less aggressive root systems, making them better suited to the saline conditions in the Wickham’s Cay area.
The RDA did not disclose how many mature trees would be removed, the size or maturity of the replacement trees, whether an independent arborist or environmental specialist had examined the existing trees, or when the new trees would be planted.
People’s Leadership Movement leader and former Fourth District Representative Mark Vanterpool had called for the project to be temporarily paused until the Government provided a fuller explanation of the tree removal and released the technical evidence supporting the decision.
Vanterpool said the trees appeared healthy during a recent inspection of the project area and questioned whether the sidewalks, drains and parking spaces could be improved while preserving them.
He also called for meaningful consultation before any irreversible work begins.
In the RDA release, Hodge-Smith said the project would make Road Town safer, more accessible and easier to navigate.
“This project is about making Road Town work better for everyone. By improving the infrastructure, safety, accessibility, appearance and user-friendliness of this important corridor, we are creating a capital that is easier to navigate and better positioned to support commerce, public services and community life,” she stated.
The $798,108.74 project, financed by the Government and being executed by TMB Enterprises, includes the demolition and reconstruction of the sidewalks, restoration of drainage infrastructure, landscaping and the construction of six-foot-wide sidewalks compliant with accessibility standards.
Most of the work is expected to take place at night to reduce disruption to businesses, motorists and pedestrians.
The contract has a duration of 120 days, with completion projected for February 2027.
There is a major issue with flooding on Flemming street. Instead of fixing that they choose to destroy mature trees on DeCastro street. This is the height of stupidity. Everything that is alive in this country they want to kill including us.