Pricey bids! West End Ferry Terminal Project halted for reassessment
The Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) announced on Monday that the West End Ferry Terminal Project has been delayed for reassessment after receiving bids that far exceeded the estimated budget of fifteen million dollars.
The RDA stated that after recently extending the bidding deadline, they received two bids—one from a joint venture firm comprised of two Virgin Islands companies and another from a Canadian firm.
However, both submissions significantly surpassed the allocated budget.
“The submissions came in significantly above the allocated budget, at approximately 64 million and 94 million dollars, respectively,” the RDA stated.
Citing market conditions, cost fluctuations, and global economic factors, the RDA emphasised that the substantial differences between the estimated budget and submitted bids necessitated an immediate reassessment of the project’s requirements and priorities.
The agency immediately consulted with representatives from the Ministry of Communication and Works along with the BVI Ports Authority and is considering further measures.
“After careful deliberation, and in collaboration with these key stakeholders, this disparity has prompted us to take a responsible step. A decision was made to further review the Statement of Requirements (SoR) and the needs of the client to determine project priorities and certified operating requirements. This review will also consider value engineering and potentially a reduction in size and scope,” the RDA stated.
Still committed to the project
Meanwhile, Minister for Communication and Works Kye Rymer reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the project despite the delay. He acknowledged the efforts of the bidding companies and emphasised that the delay is crucial to ensuring the project’s success.
“The time, effort, and financial resources invested by the bidders in preparing their submissions have not been overlooked. I also acknowledge the disappointment this situation may have caused to all involved. Let me assure you that we remain steadfast in our commitment to this project,” he stated.
“While delays are never ideal, our priority is to ensure that this project is executed properly, delivering high-quality outcomes that meet the expectations of our community,” Rymer added.
The agency plans to provide further updates within the week while emphasizing the need to achieve cost-effective yet high-quality outcomes.
“The RDA remains committed to delivering critical infrastructure in a transparent, responsible, and cost-effective manner that delivers the best outcomes for the Virgin Islands,” they stated.
The project has faced previous delays and missed deadlines, making it highly anticipated. The West End Ferry Terminal was the busiest seaport in the Virgin Islands before the 2017 hurricanes, handling over forty percent of all sea arrivals into the Territory. Its destruction has affected travel between Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, and the US Virgin Islands, impacting both residents and visitors arriving by ferry, water taxi, private yacht, or charter yacht.
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The plans from the Trellis Bay welcome center, that’s probably with inflation about $15,000,000 for a F&F contract!
We got a wall for 1 million. A whole ferry terminal for 15? Good luck.
Wow that crazy
Thank goodness for the RDA. If public works was running this then we would be charging ahead notwithstanding the quotes were 400% and 600% over budget.
It would not have been Public Works but the Ministry of Communications and Works, led by Kye. Cant get the roads right cant do nothing. Now, imagine getting $64m and $94m bids for a $15m project, that is incompetence to the max.
Obviously, the budget was way too low for what they wanted
didn’t calculate for inflation? its going to be 8 years since it was destroyed.
This is why Kye was dodging Myron’s questions on this in the HOA. These people can’t get nothing done right. Nothing!
“The West End Ferry Terminal was the busiest seaport in the Virgin Islands before the 2017 hurricanes, handling over forty percent of all sea arrivals into the Territory.”
Where is the data to support this statement? Ferry traffic shifted to Road Town a long time ago (long before Irma), and now the water taxi traffic is going to Beef Island. The data is all wrong but noooooo keep working with outdated information and this is where you end up!
It says “it WAS the busiest port BEFORE 2017”, read to understand.
For that kind of money, a new ferry hub and new docks should be built in Road Town down towards the park. The old one with all its confusion should be demolished and dumped in the sea to create more parking.
We’ll need some traffic lights at the main road junction (like in St. Thomas) to handle the traffic.
West End should remain at the same level as Trellis Bay and cater to JVD and Red Hook.
Keep it as a shack, it is a better representation of the state of the island and at least tourists will know what to expect once they clear the terminal.
you right cause this place looking 3rd worldish despite all the legal and illegal money that pass through
What sorta brain dead people thought that monstrosity would cost only $15 million. You must be truly truly mentally incapacitated and incompetent to think those bids would come anywhere close to $15M.
in West End is perfectly fine for a ferry terminal for the JVD local ferries and the STJ/STT international ferries.
No need for any new ferry terminal in West End.
However there is a need for a water taxi, yacht and megayacht entry port terminal at Nanny Cay.
Look at Tortola Wharf in Stt Operating for years with out a Issue.They Should name the West Terminal St Thomas wharf and Build it Simple like that. Please leaders go to St Thomas and get the Blue Print and Follow their layouts. Thank me Later..
Actually the terminal in Red Hook looks much better. It protects travellers from the rain and dun, while being spacious and breezy.
Anybody with half of a brain could never look at that photo and think it could cost $15mil. What is not in the photo is the full scope of marine/dock works that would be required in accordance with that plan. It was a dumb idea to begin with and makes us look even dumber going forward with the tender process. It’s clearly a 100mil project that would only happen in Dubai or some other place where money is no issue. Why the f**k would we build that hideous piece of s**t down in West End is beyond me!
Why not model it on the welcome centre at Trellis Bay. That would also give people the idea of the quality of things to expect on island.
West end ferry dock was the busiest by plain sight. It is closest to the USVI and JVD. It should be fixed you can see St.Thomas from the dock.
The time ans money wasted on this BS would have been better spent fixing the dock and improving the land side. 5mil would have been more than enough
A concrete building with windows that function for when the power goes out and men and women’s washrooms is all that is needed and wanted.
Does the government own the property that it will be built on?
I would love to see the numbers side by side.
+4 times the budget on the lowest tender???
This is what we want. The young people running things. Young and green, green in every respect. They are not visionaries. Don’t know how to manage or build a damn thing and even maintain what they met, but they have over $400 million budget. But wait, those that know are past their due-by date? Okay. A school for the differently abled $3 million. This while Althea Scatliffe School to be rebuilt right next door. Could have built both as that $3 million will house 25 maximum, history shows. An Administration Complex being renovated for years for millions and millions, won’t repeat the figure I have heard, while we spend millions and millions in rents. DPP’s office now seeking $1.5 million to renovate a third party’s office.
Well, when the Government can’t pay salaries and pensions and can’t buy pencils and pens, we will understand why it is important to have persons with experience at least peppered into a country’s decision-making machine to keep it running. What will be sad is that those that know better will suffer right along with the mess creators.
Firstly respect for elders and those who been in the trenches, priorities, focus, value for money, necessities and doing things in order of priorities with value for money not being exhibited. What can I say, the young people who are not listening, will destroy us all as money runs out and trade wars ensue.
Build a medium sized , attractive looking West Indian style type structure with enough room to accommodate some ferries and day trip boats. nothing more. What you are proposing is the ugliest and now most expensive structure in the BVI. Shame on you all for not doing your homework. you are wasting your time as usual.
get no limit construction to build 5 of those trellis welcoming center structures and connect them with a gravel walk paths.
And these donkeys think the airport be a couple hundred million. Better start talking the B word after seeing this madness
Thr figures quoted are code for “We dont want the job, but if you are foolish to accept our bid, this what it will cost you”.
Not needed just now. Education, water, sewage, garbage, roads. Stay focused.
China will build it for half of that in exchange for a few islands. And that will trigger the US to take over the territory from Weak Britain.
weak Britain, the USA has never won a war they fought by themselves, think about it, see if you can find any war that the USA has fought and won by themselves….. NEVER
They want to build a metal frame building suspended over salt water! Hmmmm
How about building one terminal at prospect reef?
Leaving West End to be developed around its natural harbor and inherent beauty.
Best do the airport with that money
You must be ancient to think the leaders of this country are young. All the polticians are graying and old. None of them are young. Not one.
And you must be 16 if 40-odd is old, which most of them are. And when I said young, I meant experience-wise. Hope you don’t die young but live. And I say this since old is now a disease, not because I wish you ill. Some of your parents really needed to teach you respect for mankind buddy. This is sad.