Now that the covering is back on a tent where cruise passengers wait for land-based tours (see Friday/Saturday edition), things appear back to normal at Port St. Maarten for the start of the new cruise season. However, there is still a long-standing issue that begs to be remedied.
On a busy day thousands of passengers walk back and forth to Philipsburg along Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard. That’s also the road to the cargo facilities at Point Blanche, on which consequently large containers, freight trucks and other heavy equipment are driven up and down all day.
There is a footpath separated by guardrails, but the latter are no match for these massive vehicles. Besides, it becomes flooded in certain parts during rain, prompting pedestrians to dangerously venture into the street.
The solution is a coastline promenade from the terminal via Dock Maarten and Bobby’s Marina directly to Boardwalk Boulevard at Great Bay. Although such plans have been on the table for decades, they so far remain just that.
Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten told Parliament in September 2024 that the waterside walkway was set for completion at the end of that year. However, 12 months later the public is still waiting.
The current situation can be considered hazardous and a highly undesirable accident waiting to happen, with all possible consequences for the destination. This matter therefore certainly deserves priority and the question remains: what’s holding things up?
