New Beef Island Bridge now officially opened

“FINALLY!”

That was the resounding cry at the prompting of chairperson Geraldine Ritter-Freeman, Acting Chief Information Officer, at the opening ceremony on Monday June 10th of the new bridge linking Beef Island and Tortola.

Thirty-six years ago on February 23rd, 1966, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opened a one-lane bridge between the two islands. The bridge was part of a British aid scheme package approved for the territory, which included the Road Town/Cane Garden Bay road and the Road Town/West End road.

Chief Minister the Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal recalled that it was a very significant scheme, coming at a time when Cable and Wireless was putting down a modern tele-communication system, government was expanding electricity on Tortola and Virgin Gorda and when tourism was given a boost with the construction of the Little Dix Bay Hotel and the start of the development of Peter Island Hotel and Biras Creek.

He recalled that the development of Wickham's Cay was ongoing and the prospects for the territory were very good.

“I praise and thank the Most High that I am alive to see this bridge dedicated and put into operation,” the BVI leader declared. “As far as I am concerned, whatever is past is past; we have learnt many lessons in dealing with this bridge and it is left for us to use those lessons for our edification.”

Chief Minister O’Neal pointed out that the local government financed the new bridge and he anticipates that the bridge would meet the demands for traffic for a long time to come.

Motorists using the new bridge would still be required to use the same method of paying the toll of 50¢. The wooden building was relocated in time for the opening of the bridge. The Island Sun understands that the agents collect less than $100 a day on average.

“I see no reason why that until we get a very reliable supply of electricity that the present method of collecting the toll cannot be continued,” Hon. O’Neal stated. “I would suggest more thought be given to the method of controlling and collecting toll charges.”

Government had introduced a proposal to build a $400,000 mechanized toll booth, but the Chief Minister announced Monday that this will be reviewed, with a view to reducing the cost considerably.

In his remarks, His Excellency Governor Frank Savage announced that it was premature to refer to the new bridge as the new Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.