Support investments aimed at increasing the resiliency of transit infrastructure serving the island of ST

The Federal Transit Administration awarded the Government of the Virgin Islands Division of Transportation $3,765,468 on June 12, 2026, under the Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program (CFDA 20.527) to renovate and upgrade the St. John Operations and Maintenance Facility serving the Virgin Islands Transit System (VITRAN).

Work performed includes reinforcing existing structural elements, adding new structural components or modifying existing ones to meet updated building and hurricane-resistance codes, drainage and site stabilization enhancements, and modernization of critical maintenance systems to ensure continuity of transit operations under adverse conditions. Eligible upgrades include adding or upgrading back-up power supply, installing hurricane-resistant doors and window coverings, adding solar panels and lighting, backup battery electrical power, enclosing and expanding the existing garage bay, constructing a new cistern and equipment storage room, and upgrading parking and drainage structures. The work aims to bring the facility to current building codes and ensure safety, accessibility, and compliance with new regulations.

The recipient is a division of the Government of the Virgin Islands and acts as prime recipient of Federal Transit Administration grants funding operations, capital improvements, and resilience projects across the territory. Performance takes place in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The period of performance extends from the award date through March 30, 2033. The assistance type is a Project Grant.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to support investments aimed at increasing the resiliency of transit infrastructure serving the island of ST. John specifically to withstand the impacts of natural disasters. The united states virgin islands were awarded $5164000 under the FY 2018 section 5324 resilience program. Through this application $3765468 of the allocated funds will be utilized for the renovation and upgrade of the ST. John operations and maintenance facility which is a vital component of the islands transit system. Planned improvements include reinforcing existing structural elements adding new structural components or modifying existing ones to meet updated building and hurricane-resistance codes drainage and site stabilization enhancements and modernization of critical maintenance systems to ensure continuity of transit operations under adverse conditions.

Activities

Funds will be used to cover eligible upgrades to transit assets to increase resiliency. These include but are not limited to: the addition or upgrade of back-up power supply the addition of hurricane resistant doors and window coverings the addition of solar panels and lighting backup battery electrical power and other efforts to bring the old structure to current building codes to ensure safety accessibility and compliance with new regulations. The objective of this project is to renovate the existing main office building enclose and expand the existing garage BAY construct a new cistern equipment storage room and upgrade parking and drainage structures for the vitran ST. John operations and maintenance facility.

Expected outcomes

The projects outlined in this application aim to enhance the resilience of ST. John transit operations and improve its state of good repair ensuring better preparedness and recovery in the event of future hurricanes or disasters affecting the US virgin islands. Expected outcomes include improved structural integrity continuity of transit operations protection of transit assets enhanced response capability and sustainable disaster preparedness.

Intended beneficiaries

The benefits of the project are increased operational reliability asset protection cost savings safer workplace for the employees faster recovery quicker delivery of services to the passengers support economic stability and support a resilient public transit system.