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MVA board OKs $51K for Mt. Tapochau road
Tenorio
The area to be reconditioned comprises some 350 feet of the road near the housing area.
MVA board vice chair James Nelson said he has visited the affected area and described it as treacherous, especially during rainy season.
“My primary concern first and foremost is the safety of the residents there and also the tourists,” Nelson said.
MVA board member Jerry Tan inquired whether there is any long-term solution to fixing the road.
“I support this. My only question is that if we fix this, are there any long-term solutions to fixing the road because in my experience the entire road is a problem,” Tan said.
MVA managing director Perry Tenorio told Tan that the Department of Public Works is working on it but there are right of way issues that is preventing DPW from taking any action on the road at once.
Tan pointed out that they can’t keep pulling funds from the MVA budget to fix the road if something happens to it again.
“Why don’t we just fix the budget and fix the road and come up with maybe $3 million funding for the project if it is going to fix the entire road,” Tan said.
Tenorio said he will work with DPW and see if there are any long term solutions to fixing the entire Mt. Tapochau road and come up with some figures.
Tan said that Mt. Tapochau is a major site that tourists do visit when they come to Saipan to get a view of the whole island.
“If DPW would at least provide some ways or means of fixing the road, then a possible funding from MVA would maybe push through if MVA board members discuss it further,” Nelson said.
The board approved the $51,000 funding with the understanding that this will only be a part of a multi- agency collaboration to fix the Mt. Tapochau road. The Saipan Mayor’s Office and DPW will also be providing support, while Rep. Antonio Sablan (Ind-Saipan) will seek additional funding.
