Previous Story
DPW eyes early start on Cross-Island Project
|
Posted on Apr 26 2006
The Department of Public Works is aiming for an early start on the Cross-Island Project, a $12-$16 million highway construction project at the back road.
DPW Secretary Jose S. Demapan told the Saipan Tribune that the architecture and structural engineering design for the first phase of the project is ongoing and almost complete.
Demapan said DPW and Henry K. Pangelinan Engineering Co., which is doing the design for phase one, are targeting September this year to start construction work.
“We hope we can complete the design early so we can start the construction for phase one by September or August,” he said.
Under the federally-funded Cross-Island Project, a three-lane highway will be constructed from San Vicente round house all the way up to Capitol Hill.
Phase 1 consist of constructing the road from San Vicente round house up to the Blue Tank in Papago. There would be two lanes going up and one lane going down.
Demapan said the project is expected to increase economic growth in the CNMI as not only residents would benefit from the road, but also tourists, as there are scenic sites in that location.
“It’s very difficult right now to drive to that place because there are only two lanes. If there’s an accident, we cannot [immediately] proceed, we have to take the other road from the other side and that makes it difficult,” the secretary pointed out.
Asked why it would involve only three lanes instead of the usual four lanes, Demapan said the site has a lot of private properties involved.
Demapan earlier disclosed that DPS is ready to start its biggest project on Saipan: the $12-million Talafofo Highway Project that is expected to boost tourism on the island. Under the project, a highway will be constructed from the King Fisher Golf Course area on Capitol Hill all the way to Kalabera Cave in Marpi.
