GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Darryl York has formally submitted his first legislative initiative to Parliament: a comprehensive Road Fund reform proposal aimed at strengthening the country's ability to finance, maintain and improve its road infrastructure for generations to come.
The submission marks an important milestone in MP York's parliamentary career and is intended to address longstanding structural challenges that have contributed to recurring maintenance backlogs, inconsistent infrastructure investment and the absence of long-term continuity in infrastructure development.
The proposal follows years of concerns about the condition of the road network and is informed by findings and recommendations from the General Audit Chamber regarding the allocation and use of infrastructure-related revenues.
"The condition of our roads affects every resident, every business and every visitor. It affects emergency response, public transportation, tourism, logistics and overall economic activity. For too long, we have been managing infrastructure challenges one budget year at a time. This legislation is about creating a stronger foundation for the future," MP York stated.
"If we are serious about protecting infrastructure funding for the long term, it belongs in legislation, where it answers to Parliament and cannot quietly disappear when priorities change," MP York added.
The proposed legislation is designed to move Sint Maarten away from a cycle of reactive road repairs and toward predictable infrastructure investment, better maintained roads, lower long-term maintenance costs, greater continuity between administrations and stronger public confidence that infrastructure revenues are being used for infrastructure purposes.
MP York emphasized that the amendment is ultimately about creating the conditions for sustainable infrastructure development and ensuring that road maintenance and rehabilitation are no longer dependent on short-term political cycles or annual uncertainty.
"For nearly two years, questions have been asked, reports have been examined and concerns about the condition of our roads have been raised repeatedly. That work was important, but identifying problems is only the beginning. This legislation represents the point where oversight becomes action, where discussion becomes direction and where concern is matched by a concrete path forward. The people of Sint Maarten deserve more than temporary fixes. They deserve a future built on planning, continuity and lasting progress."
MP York will explain the specifics of the amendment as the proposal advances through the legislative process.
The proposal has now been formally submitted and will proceed through the parliamentary review process.
Road conditions and infrastructure development has long been the MP's focus of attention among his other Parliamentary duties. To name a few instances:
November 19, 2024: Sought Urgent Review of Roads After Flooding
Following severe weather, York requested an urgent VROMI Committee meeting to assess the condition of St. Maarten’s infrastructure.
2025 Budget Debate: Road Projects and Infrastructure Priorities
During debate on the draft 2025 national budget, MP York raised questions about several road and infrastructure projects, including Sucker Garden Road and Pointe Blanche. He sought clarity on government’s plans, priorities and timelines for addressing these areas.
January 23, 2026: Demands Timeline for Traffic Relief Plan
York requested clarity from the VROMI Minister on the ministry’s work with UNOPS to address traffic congestion. He said residents and businesses deserved to know what stage the initiative had reached, what results were expected and when implementation would begin.
March 19, 2026: Says Government Reacts Only After Road Accidents
Following a serious accident involving police officers on Sucker Garden Road, York said the dangerous condition of the roadway had already been identified. He argued that action should have been taken before a major incident occurred and criticised the lack of visible progress on traffic congestion.
March 20, 2026: Rejects Explanation for Delayed Sucker Garden Repairs
York criticised the VROMI Minister’s explanation that unpaid government bills and limited funding prevented emergency repairs to Sucker Garden Road. He argued that temporary safety measures could have been implemented while government worked toward a permanent solution.
May 25, 2026: Lists Traffic and Infrastructure Among Neglected Issues
During a parliamentary debate focused on internal government disputes, York questioned why urgent public concerns were receiving less attention. He specifically identified traffic and infrastructure as issues requiring greater focus from both Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
June 22, 2026: Links Housing Development to Road Capacity
During debate on government’s housing plans, York argued that new developments cannot be considered separately from roads and supporting infrastructure. He requested information on traffic capacity, road access, public transportation, drainage, utilities and whether a traffic-impact study had been completed.
