Infrastructure damage from the storms, including landslides and undermining of roads, temporarily cut off access to Coral Bay and Fish Bay. Lack of communications infrastructure made contact with these areas virtually impossible; access by sea was an important method of reaching local residents in this areas until road could be better cleared and reopened. Volunteers cleared one lane for vehicle traffic all the way from Coral Bay to Cruz Bay within 4 days after Irma, albeit a somewhat risky route that remained officially closed and often blocked by recovery vehicles.

Residents feel that road damage, undermining, and landslides from the storms have left area vulnerable in future weather events. Community members have expressed a desire to improve connections across the island in good times as well. Community members recommend looking at alternative routes to these two locations, including by sea, to be used in cases of disaster. In Coral Bay, there are numerous options to improve existing roads to create better connectivity for residents living in Coral Bay and out toward Salt Pond. A planning process designed to look at road connectivity across the island would identify all possible solutions and help identify creative solutions.

IMPLEMENTATION STEPS: 1. Determine whether/when DPW and DPNR could lead a planning process focused on roads and connectivity in St. John. 2. Compile a Stakeholder Advisory Committee and create a public involvement plan. 3. Secure funding to support the planning process as well as for construction and maintenance.

Key Players: TBD Alignment: IS, NCR, CPCB RSFs Cost: < $100,000 Timeline: One Year