House committee seeks to address traffic situation
The House Committee on Transportation has been meeting with the Department of Public Works and Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority officials to solve the worsening traffic and parking situation in Garapan.
Traffic had been building up going to Garapan, with long lines of cars during rush hour while parking space had been limited, especially during dinnertime and special occasions.
Rep. Donald C. Barcinas (R-Saipan), who chairs the committee, said he and members of his committee have already drafted two resolutions that they would introduce in the next session. He said they met last Jan. 26 and Feb. 9.
Garapan is under Precinct III
Barcinas said the renewed economic activity the island is experiencing contributes to the current situation that the Garapan business district is experiencing.
“Traffic and parking space is a growing problem in the Garapan business district. We can now see traffic congestion, especially during rush hours that’s why we are aggressively looking to solve the worsening situation,” said Barcinas.
He said DPW Secretary James Ada and COTA executive director Alfreda Camacho have presented their respective plans to help ease the traffic situation.
A public transportation system, which would be an alternative way of getting around the island, t aims to ease traffic in the area. Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said they are just waiting for the buses to arrive.