The U.S. Virgin Islands has awarded a $789 million contract to the Suffolk–CBNA Joint Venture for the design and reconstruction of four public schools and a curriculum center in St. Croix. The project, known as the St. Croix Education Bundle, is part of the broader Rebuild USVI program to modernize public infrastructure damaged by past hurricanes.
The joint venture was selected through a competitive process that emphasized the progressive design-build delivery method, chosen for its ability to integrate design and construction early in the process to improve efficiency and collaboration.
Under the agreement, the joint venture will rebuild Alexander Henderson, Alfredo Andrews, Claude O. Markoe, and Pearl B. Larson Elementary Schools, along with the St. Croix Curriculum Center. Officials said the effort represents one of the largest investments in education in the territory’s history.
Suffolk Construction Company, based in the United States, partnered with CBNA, a subsidiary of the Bouygues Construction Group with long experience in the Caribbean.
“Education is the foundation of resilient communities,” said Tom Thrasher of Suffolk. “Together with CBNA, we aim to deliver schools that inspire learning and withstand the challenges of the future.”
“Build With Us USVI” program
Beyond rebuilding, the team has launched “Build With Us USVI,” a local engagement program that recently convened more than 40 Virgin Islands contractors for training on federal contracting and large-scale construction practices. The initiative, supported by the Office of Disaster Recovery and the Department of Education, is intended to expand participation of local firms in the rebuilding effort.
The education bundle follows preconstruction work by the same joint venture on the St. Thomas Healthcare Bundle, another major component of the Rebuild USVI program. Both projects are seen as key to the territory’s long-term recovery and modernization efforts.
While Suffolk continues to strengthen its presence in the U.S. Virgin Islands, its footprint across the United States remains extensive — the company recently began construction on the $210 million Lightspeed Emergency Response Center in Miami-Dade and is involved in several other large-scale projects nationwide.
St. Croix Education Bundle Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Contract Value: $789 million
Program: Rebuild USVI
Contractor
Prime Contractor: Suffolk–CBNA Joint Venture
- Suffolk Construction Company (United States)
- CBNA (Bouygues Construction Group subsidiary)
Project Scope
Reconstruction of five educational facilities:
Alexander Henderson Elementary School
Alfredo Andrews Elementary School
Claude O. Markoe Elementary School
Pearl B. Larson Elementary School
St. Croix Curriculum Center
Delivery Method
Progressive Design-Build – Selected through competitive procurement to enable early integration of design and construction for improved efficiency and collaboration
Project Objectives
Modernize public education infrastructure damaged by hurricanes
Create resilient, future-ready learning environments
Represent one of the largest education investments in USVI history
Local Engagement
Build With Us USVI Program:
Training initiative for Virgin Islands contractors
40+ local contractors participated in initial convening
Focus on federal contracting requirements and large-scale construction practices
Supported by Office of Disaster Recovery and Department of Education
Related Work
The Suffolk–CBNA Joint Venture previously completed preconstruction work on the St. Thomas Healthcare Bundle under the Rebuild USVI program.
