$950K CK traffic signal project inaugurated

The island’s motorists and pedestrians are not the only ones expected to benefit from the new traffic signal system at the intersection of Beach Road and Tun Segundo Road in Chalan Kanoa, which started operating last Oct. 30.

Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschneider said he expects businesses around the area to start thriving once again because the Beach Road/Tun Segundo Traffic Signal Light Project will not only improve traffic flow in the area but bring better aesthetics as well.

“Seem to me our people of Saipan have accepted the new orderly fashion in the traffic here. I didn’t hear anyone complain about the potential accident I know over the years have been happening. I also see a lot of smiling faces of business owners here because it also improves the business opportunities on this area,” he said during yesterday’s ribbon cutting ceremony at the V-Cool Building parking area.

Hofschneider said everyone seems to forget that Chalan Kanoa was the original capital of Saipan and was once a thriving business center.

“Everybody focuses on Garapan but really where it all started on Saipan is centrally located here in Chalan Kanoa.”

Hofschneider also thanked Department of Public Works Secretary Martin Sablan and its Technical Services Division for “a job well done for putting this project into fruition.”

The Beach Road/Tun Segundo Traffic Signal Light Project started in July 2013 and was built at a cost of $948,388. Its contractor is GPPC Inc.

Sablan said the Chalan Kanoa traffic light project is just part of a set of challenges set forth by the administration of Gov. Eloy S. Inos.

“This is a great opportunity because years ago the administration challenged the Department of Public Works to see what we can do to improve our infrastructure such as our roadways and highways. I would also like to congratulate the members of the DPW Technical Services Division, the Highway Department folks and Mr. John Ripple, and your predecessors for putting the plans to improve, particularly to improve this intersection.”

Sablan said he’s been dreaming of a traffic light in the intersection since coming back from serving in the military as he grew up in the Chalan Kanoa 50 years ago.

“A long time ago when I returned from serving in the military, I would think we would already have a traffic light in the area because it’s one of the busiest areas in Chalan Kanoa. But again it just so happened I came back from my military service and I’m now giving the government my knowledge, expertise, and experience with working with our engineering section to improve this particular intersection.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony was also attended by Reps. Ralph Demapan (R-Saipan) and John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan), Mayor Marian Deleon Guerrero Tudela, and Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council members.