VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs (left) on Billy Folly Road and (right) Minister Gumbs and VROMI staff at the intersection of A.T. Illidge Road and Gibbs Drive.
PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI has announced progress on two key initiatives: the Utility Infrastructure Project and the Public-Private Partnership to rehabilitate Billy Folly Road in Pelican.
The Utility Infrastructure Project follows the US $5.1 million agreement signed in May between VROMI, the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), and NV GEBE. The project will install new electrical cables and drinking water lines in Cole Bay, South Reward, Pointe Blanche, and along A.T. Illidge Road, including the Madame Estate, Middle Region, and Dutch Quarter areas.
Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs visited the intersection of A.T. Illidge Road and Gibbs Drive on Friday to inspect the ongoing work together with the Infrastructure Department. Hard-surfacing of Gibbs Drive began in February 2024 but was halted after residents protested due to an ownership dispute among heirs related to a proposed bypass to Richardson Drive. Since then, road conditions have continued to worsen, prompting residents to request government’s intervention.
The Ministry is now in discussions with the heirs to reach a resolution that would allow the project to resume. In the meantime, once cabling and piping installations are completed, VROMI will grade Gibbs Drive to provide temporary relief and improve accessibility for residents until hard-surfacing can restart.
Last month, VROMI announced a Public-Private Partnership with businesses in the Billy Folly area. To date, US $496,500 has been contributed by Simpson Bay Resort, Flamingo Hilton, The Atrium, La Vista, Simpson Bay Suites, Baker Suites, Market Garden, the St. Maarten Timeshare Association (SMTA), Hollywood Casino, Splash Jewellery, Aquamania, Tepui Residences, Dollar Thrifty, Buccaneers Beach Bar, Peli Deli, and Sunset Spa. The government has contributed an additional US $94,000.
Minister Gumbs, the Infrastructure Department, and representatives of Windward Roads visited the project site to review the progress. The rehabilitation will include the installation of side walks, upgrading of the concrete subsurface, the addition of an asphalt top layer, and solutions to long-standing drainage issues that cause water pooling on the roadway.
“Windward Roads is proud to be part of this important project, made possible through strong cooperation between the public and private sectors,” said Michiel Witteveen of Windward Roads. “Together, we are upgrading Billy Folly Road to enhance the infrastructure for the people of St. Maarten and our visitors. We look forward to more collaborations that support the island’s development.”
Minister Gumbs added that the initiative reflects the Public-Private Partnership model outlined in the Governing Program. “This infrastructure improvement has been made possible through the generous support of local businesses that have shown exceptional corporate social responsibility, and for that we are extremely grateful,” he said.
The Ministry noted that similar partnership initiatives are being developed for other infrastructure projects, and a formal framework to regulate such partnerships is in its final stages. This framework will be shared with the public in the coming weeks.
VROMI expressed appreciation to the community for its patience, emphasizing that quality public works require time, proper financing, and careful planning.
