ST. CROIX — The Christiansted bypass was officially named during a ceremony today at the bypass lookout in honor of an employee from the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works who was instrumental during his 30-year career in bringing the project to fruition with the unveiling of signage that reads Aloy “Wenty” Nielsen Bypass.
DPW officials and employees joined the governor, lieutenant governor, and two of the senators who proposed a 2023 resolution naming the bypass after Neilsen during the ceremony, which was also attended by the honoree and family members.
“Today is truly a special occasion; one that fills me with humility and joy,” Nielsen said while giving remarks from a podium set up on a custom-built stage under a large tent.
Nielsen, who worked at DPW from 1977 until his retirement in 2007, served as territorial director of Highway Engineering and thereafter as territorial director of the Federal Highway Program. He said after the ceremony that he was not terribly surprised when the 35th Legislature passed the resolution naming the bypass after him because he is deserving of the honor.
“I always felt very strongly about that because I’ve been very committed to the project for many years through many administrations,” he said.
Nielsen said he wished and prayed for it, and it happened.
“I can’t be more proud than I am,” he said. “It really gives me a great sense of pride, and joy, and honor.”
Kimani Nielsen, the honoree’s son, who traveled from his home in Virginia to share the occasion with his father and the rest of the family, said the recognition his father received felt “surreal” to him.
“I’ve seen my dad put in years and years of work between all three islands,” he said. “I’d say he’s getting his flowers today. He’s receiving his flowers for all of his dedication, and I’m super proud of him. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Kimani Nielsen recalled the hard work his father put in throughout the years to make the bypass project a reality. He said there was frustration at times, but noted the project caught traction and moved forward.
“It’s been something that sounded almost impossible and, you know, over the years, you see it kind of materialize and come together,” he said. “Different administrations may have deprioritized and reprioritized it, and my dad steadfastly stuck with it and continued to push for it, and, you know, it paid off and it came out to be a great success.”
Vivian Nielsen, the honoree’s wife, said she was proud of her husband and how hard he worked to make the bypass a reality.
“I can testify to the many, many calls we got about the bypass not being anything that was needed,” she said, noting the concern was that redirecting traffic out of town would make Christiansted dead. “He just kept on fighting, saying ‘no, no, when I need to go to Salvador to get a haircut, I’m going into Christiansted, so don’t think that; let’s think on a larger scope,’ so I’m glad it came to fruition. I’m very happy that this finally happened.”
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said the clarity of vision and determination at a point when nobody thought the bypass could happen must be commended, thanking the honoree for his role in the project. The governor said he used to be one of those who said, ‘it will never happen.’ He said, however, now Virgin Islanders are seeing things come to fruition through determination. He pointed out Aloy Nielsen’s optimistic approach toward completing the bypass project.
“Today I sit humbled and proud as a governor to be able to celebrate you and your life work, and also to celebrate the Department of Public Works,” Bryan told the honoree.
Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach discussed how government buildings have been renamed throughout the years to honor Virgin Islanders, reflecting the territory’s history and culture.
“We now are witnessing not the renaming but the naming for the first time of structures for people who are relevant and have provided so much value to this territory,” he said. “And now even better, we are naming places and locations for people who are alive, who get to witness, who get to say how very pleased they are to be recognized for the great value that they have added to our lives.”
Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel, who noted this week is National Public Works Week, said the honoree’s legacy of planning still lives with Virgin Islanders today, noting Aloy Nielsen had a roll in numerous projects territory wide beyond the bypass, including the Millennial Monument at Point Udall, the roundabout on St. John, and the Long Bay revitalization on St. Thomas.
“So, Mr. Nielsen, today not only do we celebrate you, we celebrate your legacy and we celebrate your family,” he said.
Jomo McClean, DPW federal highway program manager, who served as master of ceremonies, also noted the honoree has been involved in many projects on all three islands in addition to being key in fostering the relationship DPW has with the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division, an office of the Federal Highway Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“The value of work over his lifetime is really what we’re honoring,” McClean said.
Senate President Novelle Francis Jr. sponsored a resolution honoring Nielsen, Bill No. 35-0100 (Act No. 8705) along with Senator Kenneth Gittens, who attended the ceremony, and At-Large Senator Angel Bolques Jr., and co-sponsor Senator Marise James. Francis said the bypass project was an exercise in patience with decades of delay and setbacks, noting Aloy Nielsen was a quiet superhero working behind the scenes tirelessly to get the job done.
“For his significant contributions to development of the territory’s transportation infrastructure, his steadfast commitment to making the bypass a reality, and his leadership, it is most fitting that the Christiansted bypass be named in Mr. Nielsen’s honor,” Francis said.
Nielsen said during his speech that the origins of the 2.1-mile bypass, which opened in 2014, trace back to 1972 when Manesco McQuinn Consultants conducted a Highway Needs and Classification Study that identified the necessity for a route bypassing Christiansted to alleviate traffic congestion caused by the former location of the container port in Gallows Bay.
The project took shape in 1975 under the guidance of the contracted engineering firm Barret and Hale, Nielsen said. He said circumstances shifted as the project progressed when the container port got relocated to the South Shore and some questioned the need for the bypass, which he noted not only connects residents physically but also symbolizes the spirit of progress and cooperation in the community.
“The project has been a testament to the power of persistence and cooperation,” Nielsen said during the ceremony. “We faced challenges and uncertainties along the way, but time has proven its worth. What was once met with skepticism is now embraced by residents and business owners alike, easing traffic woes and preserving the charm of historic Christiansted.”
