Street Addressing Initiative Highlights Navigation Upgrades and Community Involvement

The Virgin Islands are on track to become the first place in the Caribbean with a comprehensive mapped street network, as officials announced that 97% of roads and addresses in St. John have been completed as part of a territory-wide street addressing initiative.

“Saint John is distinguished as the first island with a total urban and rural grid, where you can be taken from one place to the other, following the road signs,” said Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach at a press conference Wednesday, referencing travelers using popular mapping software. “We are the first place in the Caribbean that will have an urban grid of this nature.”

Over 70% of named roads across the territory have been addressed, with full project completion, including signage, targeted for summer 2026. Chris George, director of the Geographic Information System, said the territory is now ready to submit the updated addresses to major digital mapping platforms and public agencies. “We are in a good place to do our official submission to the global mapping engine — Google, Apple Maps, Esri — as well as all the public-facing agencies that need the data,” he said. “Whether it’s Public Works, the Department of Health, or 911, all of that data submission is happening this week.”

The initiative, now in its final phase, aims to provide accurate addresses for all roads in the territory, improving emergency response, public safety, and business services.