St. Croix CZM Delays WAPA Undergrounding Projects Over Water Infiltration Concerns

CZM commissioners question the reliability of underground power in flood-prone Christiansted and Frederiksted, requesting stronger data to address concerns. A third project in Catherine’s Rest and Herman Hill was approved.

ST. CROIX — Expressing major concerns about potential water infiltration, the Coastal Zone Management Committee for St. Croix decided to place applications for two of the Water and Power Authority's electrical undergrounding projects on hold. On Tuesday, WAPA was before the St. Croix CZM Committee with applications for federal consistency determinations for three projects which would move utility lines in Christiansted and surrounding communities underground. Some of the work, said Peter Bonnes of FXB Engineering, WAPA's consultant, would be part of the infrastructure bundles being overseen by the territory's Super Project Management Office, while other portions of the work would be conducted via WAPA's regular procurement process.

The work will proceed in a phased approach, Mr. Bonnes said, and is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of the year. Queen Street, Hospital Street, Kings Cross Street, and East End Road will all be impacted by the work to relocate feeders underground. Other work will include Herman Hill road, and communities including Catherine's Rest, Humbug, and Smithfield in Frederiksted.