Street naming project takes off

The Saipan street-naming project finally took off the ground as Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela presented yesterday the complete and final draft of the map that would give names to roads around the island.

The map, which was finalized and provided by the contracted H.K. Pangelinan and Associates, will be submitted to the Office of the Governor and the 13th CNMI Legislature.

In a press conference yesterday, Tudela, however, projected a possible funding deficit for the completion of the street-naming project, which is anticipated to begin once allocation is provided.

“The project is estimated to cost roughly over $1 million. To complete the project, we might be needing additional money for the final phase,” said the mayor.

Initially, the Legislature appropriated $600,000 for the procurement of street signs for the project, an amount that will be taken out from the $850,000 supplemental appropriation for the remainder of FY2002.

House Local Bill 13-004, once approved by the governor, will appropriate $600,000 for the procurement of street signs for the Saipan Street-naming Project. The bill also appropriates $250,000 for operational expenses of the mayor’s office.

Tudela said that once Gov. Juan N. Babauta approves the appropriations bill, the Saipan Mayor’s Office will immediately bid out the project to potential contractors.

Tudela projected the expeditious completion of the project, which might be finished by early 2003, if funds are made available.

Based on the final map presented yesterday by HK Pangelinan representatives, Henry Pangelinan and Joe Pangelinan, Capitol Hill will be the focal point of the street and numbering project. All houses, buildings, and other establishments will be numbered accordingly, together with road signs and road names.

The complete draft of the map showed even alternate roads from San Antonio all the way down to small villages and main roads.

The completion of the map also concluded the Phase I of the project, which will be followed by the Phase II, which is the bidding procedure, and Phase III, the construction and installation of the street numbers and names.

“We are working closely with Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente in identifying other possible money for the project. The allocation might not be enough and there might be a deficit before the completion of the project,” said Tudela.

Samples of street names provided by the Mayor’s Office include Adobo Street, Maputi Street, and other Chamorro and Carolinian words to show the diversity of culture in the Northern Marianas.