Cross Island Road Phase 3 to be completed by June 6

After months of heavy rain, strong winds, and inclement weather, road improvements to Isa Drive, called Phase 3 of the Cross Island Road, is in its final stages of completion.

According to Public Works Secretary James A. Ada, the project is set to end by the first week of June after a substantial inspection of the entire project and contract closeout.

“The Cross-Island Road project included many moving parts, and through the work of our engineers and collaboration with many agencies, we are very pleased to see major changes to our roads. In 2015, we suffered a major setback due to Typhoon Soudelor but our team and contractor have managed to push this project through and ensure the safety of motorists and the improvement of our overall infrastructure,” Ada said.

As part of a large-scale infrastructural improvement project that began its first phase in 2009, and the completion of Phase 3 concluded road improvements to Isa Drive.

Technical Services Division director Anthony A. Camacho noted that Isa Drive spans over seven miles of road beginning from San Vicente and onwards to Capital Hill and ends at the intersection of Chalan Pale Arnold in Sadog Tasi.

“Even with the delays, the major pieces have been completed and the past few weeks have been the smaller installation of guardrails, anti-skid pavements, curb and gutter concrete works, road markings and signage. This improvement is a long time coming and we are very pleased by how much it has enhanced and improved the flow of traffic and highway standards,” Camacho said.

Highway engineer Henry Bautista noted that the project went through a total of six change orders, which included the construction of the entrance to Talofofo Road and underground utility work for waterlines, sewage, and manhole installation with some upgrades to underground utilities installed during the Trust Territory period.

Of the many islandwide improvement projects funded by the Federal Highway Administration, the Cross-Island Road represented one of the longest territorial highways in the Commonwealth, according to Highway administrator Lorraine Seman.

“We have to emphasize that these road improvements are critical to our development, and we thank the public for their patience and we look forward to more road improvements throughout the Commonwealth,” Seman said.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres stated that seeing the completion of one of the Commonwealth’s long-term projects is a testament to careful planning, prioritization of funding, and the community’s patience.

“Public Works is truly on the road again as they have made every effort to initiate critical road improvements and hazard mitigation in our villages on all three major islands and made sure these projects get finished for the benefit of our community. I am very proud of their work and continual partnership with the Federal Highway Administration as we finish this project and start new ones in the months ahead. I thank our community for their patience, and we look forward to keeping you updated as we move forward on our infrastructure progress,” Torres said. (PR)