Bridge to Vieques a good idea? (rent, crime rate, hotels)

[pman]

seems the toll is reasonable, but I've heard Donald Trump is the driver. Obviously it would completely change the island, for better or worse, opening it up to intenses development.

Details of the study came to light during a public hearing by the House Government Committee on the possibility of building a toll bridge between Ceiba and Vieques to cut travel time to and from the small island town that is now served by daily ferry runs.
“While the study findings are preliminary, it is estimated that a toll bridge that costs vehicles $5 each way could generate some $15 million annually,” according to the study.
Ferry service run by the Maritime Transport Authority currently costs $2 each way.
The study contemplates a lane reserved for bicyclists.
House Government Committee Chairman Johnny Méndez said such a toll bridge project would be a good candidate for a public-private partnership. He said the toll bridge could cut travel costs for Vieques residents by cutting out the need for them to use taxis and other forms of private transport. A bridge would reduce travel time as the ferry takes more than one hour each way.
The study contemplates the environmental impact of the proposed bridge and notes the concerns criticism from some Vieques residents about the potential surge of traffic and other issues.
Tourism Co. official Valerie Rodríguez said during the hearing Friday the agency could not state its position on the proposed bridge without determining how many people would likely use

CaribbeanBusinessPR.com

[Trucker7]

Baaaaaaaaaaad idea. I think that the whole point of living in Vieques or Culebra is to be away from the main island. A bridge will turn Vieques into a resort island. Soon, hotel and luxury home developers will push the native Vieques residents out. As more people travel in, crime will go up. It won't take 10 years before Vieques as we know it, won't exist anymore.

[InNeedOfAnswers]

A better idea would be to fix the infrastructure on the (main) island first. Building up a nice transit system, a train from Mayaguez to San Juan, improving public bus system in the metro area, and even extend the subway system. I think that all of these would generate jobs and be very beneficial to the community of nearly 4 million people.

[nycricanpapi]

wow Donald Trump just want more money then he has now Wow. LOL

[pman]

Originally Posted by InNeedOfAnswers

A better idea would be to fix the infrastructure on the (main) island first. Building up a nice transit system, a train from Mayaguez to San Juan, improving public bus system in the metro area, and even extend the subway system. I think that all of these would generate jobs and be very beneficial to the community of nearly 4 million people.

I agree with this. Of course, if a private investor is willing to build the bridge and not a new San Juan subway, it's not apples to apples. that said, San Juan desperately needs a subway through Santurce and condado to Old San Juan and, the other way, the airport. An intercity bus from Ponce to San Juan and maybe SJU airport. The traffic is horrible and more roads might alleviate it in some areas, but in San Juan area roads won't fix the problem. And yes, this bridge wil mean the end of the pristine vieques and turn it into a resort island, otherwise, there wouldn't be enough people paing the toll AFAIK...

[chacho_keva]

I don't agree with an automobile bridge to Vieques. The increase in visitors would negatively affect the island.

But it would be great if there was a bicycle bridge connecting the main island to Vieques and Culebra. Riders could be charged a toll for the use.

Imagine being able to ride a bike over a bridge from Fajardo to Culebra to Vieques and back to Fajardo. Of course, we're talking about a good two day trip. But how great it would be to ride to these islands on a bicycle. Once there, we could rent cars or jeeps if we wanted to.

[nycricanpapi]

Originally Posted by chacho_keva

I don't agree with an automobile bridge to Vieques. The increase in visitors would negatively affect the island.

But it would be great if there was a bicycle bridge connecting the main island to Vieques and Culebra. Riders could be charged a toll for the use.

Imagine being able to ride a bike over a bridge from Fajardo to Culebra to Vieques and back to Fajardo. Of course, we're talking about a good two day trip. But how great it would be to ride to these islands on a bicycle. Once there, we could rent cars or jeeps if we wanted to.

Wow you got a point there.. I forgot about the tolls lol

[VIEQUENCE88]

as a native of vieques building a bridge from main isalnd to isla nena has its positives and negatives.

goods: eaiser and quicker transportation
jobs for the residents
a boost in tourism


bad: bad on the beautiful wild life
over population beacuse it is easier to get to the island
higher crime rate for the natives

i think that vieques should be a tourist destination but in the right way... goverment should allow for only a certain amount of hotels to go up because of the hitory and value the isalnd contains..i feel that it is one of the wonders of the world. they should allow for shops to go up but only near the ferry station because you wouldnt want to destroy the enviroment like the us navy has done in the past. promote the island of vieques on national television as a vacation area for FAMILIES. most people dont even know what vieques is??? and its a darn shame because it holds so many beauties. together we can make a difference remember united we stand divided we fall!