VIPA Celebrates Completion of Phase One of Terminal Expansion

ON MONDAY, the V.I. Port Authority celebrated the completion of phase one of the terminal expansion and modernization of St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport at the airport terminal.

An estimated $7 million for the project was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, and the VIPA provided a matching fund of $1.6 million for phase one. The estimated cost for the four phases in total is projected at $140 million.

This is the fourth project that the contractor company J. Benton Construction LLC has taken on for the authority. J. Benton’s President, James Benton, said that despite difficulties, they were able to complete earlier than their expected date of 2022. The project began in October 2020.

In phase one, the 5,500 square feet of the walkway space was increased in capacity, the passenger lounge and restrooms were also refurbished, and additional concessions space was created, and mechanical systems for the new air-conditioned terminal were upgraded.

“This terrazzo floor took 60,000 pounds of material to put into place. To put that into perspective, that is two-thirds of the weight of a Boeing 737 that had to be imported and mixed on the island and put it. Just to give you an idea of what it takes to make this a reality,” said Benton.

The renovations of the airport have arrived at a great time as flight traffic has increased, according to Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte.