BVI News

Rymer warns motorists over Sophie Bay Hill usage

Kye Rymer

Public Works Minister Kye Rymer has warned motorists to exercise caution as they traverse the roadway along Sophie Bay Hill.

The hill has seen at least three major accidents involving trucks in recent weeks, with one truck breaking the guardrail along the roadside and catapulting to the seashore dozens of feet below.

In a recent interview with ZBVI Radio, Rymer described the accidents that occurred recently as unfortunate and noted that his team at the Public Works Department has been assessing the damaged area to effect repairs.

“I just want to encourage persons to know what cargo they are taking up the hill, and to be mindful of the steepness of the hill and if the truck can’t make it, try not going there,” Minister Rymer said.

The Minister pointed out that he witnessed cars in the area struggling to navigate the hill while surveying the scene. Rymer said he wanted to warn motorists that if their vehicles are not strong enough to go up the hill, then they should use an alternate route.

In the meantime, the Public Works team is set to replace the damaged guardrails. Repair works to the guardrail will begin at 8:30 am today, June 20. As a result of this, motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes. The road is expected to be completely blocked to road users to properly facilitate these repairs.

Minister also explained that there is an existing wall in the area which the Public Works team will raise before installing the new guardrail.

Rymer also pointed to the shape of the road, and said efforts are being made to re-engineer the area.

“We are actually trying to re-engineer the road to make it a bit safer, we know it’s a steep hill but we’re also trying to make it safe immediately by installing the guard rails,” Minister Rymer said.

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17 Comments

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  1. HMM says:

    The guard rails needs to be higher in that area

    Like 16
  2. Knowing PWD says:

    This will take months like that side walk down at mcnamara along side the QE Park by Government house

    Like 17
    Dislike 1
  3. Mr high price says:

    Price tag might be in the million dollar range like the Market and the new elevator in the Government Complex

    Like 12
    Dislike 2
  4. Ok says:

    Blocking the entirety of the road is ridiculous and for the entire day. We all know that this will not be completed for days on end…. If someone lives in Brandywine Bay, you’re telling me they have to drive all the way around through East End??? come on… We need alternate roads. We have to start thinking ahead….

    Like 12
    Dislike 1
  5. YES TO UK says:

    Stop talking and FIX THE ROAD, all of you are a waste of time.

    Like 14
    Dislike 1
  6. MR WONDERFUL says:

    WE HAVE POT HOLES LIKE AN EYE SORE ( AND AS CSC SAID OF ( PROSPECT REEF ) AND NOW YOU TELLING YOUR PEOPLE THAT AN ENGINEER IS GOING TO MIRACULOUSLY REMEDY THAT PROBLEM, IS THAT GOING TO BE IN THE NEAR
    FUTURE ( AND THE KEY WORD IS FUTURE – OR LIKE WHEN ? ( THANKFULLY NO ONE HAS LOST THEIR LIVES , A COUPLE OF THINGS COMES TO MIND , ARE THOSE VEHICLES SERVIVED AND INSPECTIONS DONE ON THEM / ARE THE DRIVERS QUALIFIED , WERE THOSE VEHICLES OVER LOADED ?
    ? AND ARE YOU REALLY SERIOUS ? ? AT LEAST THOSE WHOS SAT IN THE STREET FAKE PROTEST MADE SURE THERE WASN’T ANY POT HOLES THERE ?

  7. Resident says:

    why not build a coastal bypass road similar to the one st. thomas has

    Like 13
  8. Big Noze says:

    When will the huge potholes around the island be addressed and when will something be done about the poor state of Belle vue road???

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  9. Really?! says:

    Minister Rymer you do know that the only alternate route to head in the eastern direction, is still another hill?! Telling those people take use another route is not going to address the poor state of their vehicle, or their lack of expertise and when to shift gears, nor is it going to help because some people are trying to escape the craters and the piles on the road and are using the the opposite lane at the inconvenience of other motorists. JAH!

    Like 21
  10. citizen says:

    kye is a ok guy but as a works minister, it’sa no for me

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  11. ?? says:

    Hon. Rymer, have PWD to regularly remove the concrete that spills from the concrete trucks on to the inner side of Sophie Bay Hill Road. The truckers traversing this road with a load should shift the truck gear from the bottom and not while halfway up the hill. Also, truckers only carry a load that is suitable for Sophie Bay Hill Road.

  12. Road user says:

    Mr. Minister, are you aware that the alternate route is much more hazardous than this present one?
    If a vehicle is struggling to go up Sophie Bay hill, imagine it going up the hill from Quomar to Belvue?

  13. HAHAHAHA says:

    That road was rebuilt about 30 years ago. NOW all of a sudden, we’re having big accidents?

    Yes, it absolutely needs maintenance but I think people are generally getting more careless, more selfish and if the US is an indicator, stupider on a global scale.

  14. AHA says:

    The problem is the sand or dirt tat is in that area that causes vehicle to slide and loose control and note I am speaking from what I have experience recently

  15. @Resident says:

    That would be upwards of Trillions of dollars and would be completed in about a Century. The USVI have a wealthy God Father aka US. BVI have plans for Independence and a growing population of imported fixed criminality and poverty for good measure.

    A BVi Monaco model would be a gem of beauty and wealth but there would be little room for wallowing in misery and boy weluv us some misery,

  16. Coastal Bypass Road says:

    seems to be the sensible answer to this perplexing question. Which alternate route from Road Town to East End presents a better option. Joe’s Hill, Huntums Ghut, Johnson Ghut or Fort Hill. Please wake up.

  17. Sirius says:

    It’s not just the concrete spills. Goats from Brandywine trample up the side of the road and in doing so dislodge rocks and vegetation that keeps rhe soil in place. Please address this issue too.

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