Navy Hill Road reconstruction set to begin

The Department of Public Works expects to solicit bids within this month for the proposed improvement of Navy Hill Road, according to Sec. Juan B. Cepeda.

Funded with about $2 million under the FY 2000 appropriation, the project will take about nine months to complete, he said in a letter to Rep. William S. Torres.

The Federal Highway Administration has approved use of Henry K. Pangelinan’s services to update the plans and specifications, added the DPW chief.

Mr. Torres inquired last month on the status of the project after Navy residents had complained about the condition of the road which they feared could lead to traffic accidents.

He said the road is “dangerously slippery,” particularly during the rainy season, adding the water drainage system adjacent to the highway has not been improved.

“All of these conditions definitely put motorists at high-risk and in great danger of a vehicular mishap, especially during heavy showers both day and night,” Mr. Torres wrote in a letter.

The lawmakers, who represents the village in the House, prodded DPW to expedite the project as well as other plans aimed to enhancing road safety both for pedestrians and motorists.

Mr. Cepeda pointed out other forthcoming projects, including school zone signage and crosswalk flashers, Beach Road pathway guardrails and directional signs with the coordination of the Marianas Visitors Authority.

On Saipan, 15 school zones, six crosswalks at hotels and six more at other locations like those near garment factory housing will be built through funds under FHWA’s grants for FY 2001, he said.

DPW, on the other hand, has held off work on proposed guardrails along the pathway as it still has to install lights and traffic cones for higher visibility. “A steel beam guardrail is not appropriate at this location,” said Mr. Cepeda.

The department also is hoping to meet with MVA and the Saipan Mayor’s office to discuss the directional signs project which is likely to receive funding from the federal government as well, he said.

“These multi-faceted projects may involve a variety of other funding sources and liaison with different local and federal government agencies to accomplish successful implementation,” explained the DPW chief.
“Right now the work that can be performed is on track.”