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$15-M ALTERNATIVE ROUTE Road from Navy Hill to Mt. Tapochao proposed
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Posted on Jul 03 2000
A 2.4 mile road from Navy Hill to the peak of Mt. Tapochao is being proposed to provide alternative route in reaching the destination from low-lying areas on Saipan, according to Rep. William S. Torres.
The lawmaker met last Friday with Glenn Yasui, program director of the Federal Highway Administration based in Honolulu, where he brought up the proposal.
But he said the plan will take years to undertake as it will require settlement of possible disputes, like right-of-way clearance in private properties, as well as survey and topography sketching.
Estimated to cost $5 million, the project will take one to two years of building once the pre-construction requirements have been met, said Mr. Torres.
Mr. Yasui, he added, expressed support for the plan since the federal agency has committed funds for improvement of roads in the CNMI which receives around $3 million in FHA grants every year.
The Navy Hill-Mt. Tapochao road will provide the shortest route to motorists in reaching the area, the highest peak on Saipan. At present, it is accessible by passing through Capitol Hill.
Mr. Torres likewise disclosed other plans drawn by FHA for the islands, including road improvement in Navy Hill and the way to the airport, pedestrian crossings near schools, street and directional signs.
He said he will ask the Marianas Visitors Authority to coordinate the project on directional signs in order to make it more attractive to tourists, particularly in areas where they usually visit.
A task force composed of MVA, the Department of Public Works and the FHA may be created to oversee the project, according to Mr. Torres.
Plans are also underway to provide students safety when crossing roads and streets with a safety flasher that will alert motorists of the pedestrians. This is expected to cost $20,000 per school, the representative said.
