Watch out for Potholes on St. Croix and the Virgin Islands

Visitors, you’re on your way to an island, and finally, you landed at the airport. You have a rental car, but you are driving, not knowing that the roads may have potholes. Let this be your guide to potholes on the island of St Croix and the Virgin Islands.

The island is encompassed by water and sandy expanses. During heavy rainfall, water accumulates on the roads, flowing downstream and forming sizable potholes, contributing to increased traffic congestion. Exercise caution when driving on highways, roads, and bends, particularly during nighttime.

Maintain a consistent and moderate driving speed. While the maximum limit is 45 miles per hour, reduce your speed to 10 miles per hour in areas marked with school zone signs and watch out for potholes.

Look out for the signs of construction on the island. There are many construction roadblocks, signs that warn you to slow down, and bright orange block signs to guide you.

During nighttime driving, look out for the road construction blinker lights and luminescent signs that will reflect the signs off your headlights.

Please save your tires, you do not want to be stuck on the side of the road on your vacation fixing a flat tire.

There are Three types of potholes.

On rainy days, when the water settles on a dip in the road, it holds a lot of water, please slow down and drive with caution. Some dips are larger than others. Driving through a dip with speed can cause your car to tail swing, you may lose control and flip. If you drive too slow in a dip, you may get stuck, sometimes water can get up under your engine for some old cars and shut off your engine. Take your time and drive 20 miles per hour in this situation to keep your car moving with safe and easy driving.

Another known pothole is the roadside break, some roads can collapse, and the sidewalk falls apart and leaves a huge ditch. Please stay out of harm’s way. The car will fall in and you will be stuck or may lose your life. Look for the signs and check for any ditches.

Potholes that are small and large sinkholes, and deep holes can get your tires busted. Most people will try to dodge the hole and forget in coming traffic leading to an accident, which can also include bicyclists, road damage can lead to a fatal accident.

In 2023, the road with the highest number of potholes in St. Croix is Emancipation Road in Frederiksted, particularly the final turn from the Marvin Evans highway. This road is currently undergoing construction, as it requires continuous repairs due to downstream effects and the presence of construction manholes servicing the rural areas in the vicinity. For a smoother journey, it is recommended to take the Queen Mary highway to access the turn into Frederiksted town.