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DPW and McConnell Dowell working together to repair territory's \worst roads\

Progress is finally evident in repairing the territory's 'worst roads' as the Department of Public Works moves forward with the 3-R (restoration, rehabilitation, and resurfacing) project which is being funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) to the tune of $7,185,907.24 under a contract awarded to McConnell Dowell.

 

In response to inquiries from the Samoa News, Reuben Siatu'u, P.E. of DPW's Civil Highway Division explained that the Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued last month on April 9 and the project is scheduled to be completed in 240 calendar days, on December 4, 2013.

 

The project consists of 12 sites, three of which are already 100% complete. They are:

 

•            Route 1 - Futiga Village Road (610 linear feet of roadway);

 

•            Route 16 - Industrial Road (sectional pavement repairs that included 1,000 linear feet of work at four sections along Route 16); and

 

•            Route 104 - Hospital Road (sectional pavement repairs that included 400 linear feet of repairs).

 

Project sites still in progress:

 

Site #1 encompasses the area from Canco Hill to Lupelele Elementary School (Route 014). It is currently being resurfaced and approximately 80% complete. The work begins at the end of the previous resurfacing project and extends towards Futiga, continuing on to the Lupelele Elementary School entrance.

 

Site #2 is the Vaitogi Village Road.

 

Site #3 covers the area from the Ottoville Intersection to the Kokoland Intersection — which includes the intersection heading towards the Tradewinds Hotel and extending to the four-way intersection in Kokoland. According to Siatu'u, "the length of the site is divided into three sections, excluding two existing concrete road sections."

 

Site #4 is the Pava'ia'i to Aoloau Village Road, beginning 700 linear feet uphill and extending 1,600 linear feet. Currently, according to an update from DPW, workers are at this site constructing concrete swales for this project. (A swale is a long, narrow depression in otherwise level ground.)

 

Site #8 is the sectional pavement repair on Route 014, which covers the Ili'ili Road from Lupelele Elementary School to the Route 014-Route 018 Junction. (The sections are at various locations).

 

Site #9 is the sectional pavement repairs in Fogagogo Village, broken down into three separate sections.

 

Eastern District Projects

 

"The intent is to complete the sites located in the west before shifting to the two sites in the east (Site #5 and #6)," Siatu'u explained. He said they are tentatively scheduled to start work in the Eastern district sometime between the middle or end of July, depending on circumstances, like unpredictable weather conditions.

 

Site #5 includes work from Laulii Fou to the Visa stream culvert.

 

Site #6 will extend from Faga'itua to Alofau.

 

Site #7 will see sectional pavement repairs to the Fagaima Road, which includes excavation of the road section at a depth of six inches. The base will be compacted and leveled before it is overlaid with pavement.

 

Siatu'u said they are looking to secure more funding to carry out much needed repairs in other areas of the territory besides the twelve project sites already identified.

 

He concluded, "We would like to thank the public for their patience with the delay that these works may cause and ask that they be mindful when approaching the project sites at various locations."

 

Earlier this week, Tualauta faipule Rep. Larry Sanitoa wrote to DPW Director Faleosina  Voigt commending DPW and applauding their unwavering commitment and perseverance in recognizing the importance of maintaining the roads in the territory's most populated and growing districts.

 

But he also expressed disappointment that the road repairs will only go up to the Thompson/Jennings tennis courts in Mapusaga Fou. He said residents have expressed “serious disappointment” after they learned about this, and he agrees with them.

 

Sanitoa told Voigt that there are several dangerous road areas past the tennis courts that are severely damaged and have become a public safety hazard issue. In addition, Sanitoa wrote, there is an urgent need to address the overall drainage within this same area.

 

"Given the current plan with the drainage and resurfacing work for the Pava'ia'i-Mapusaga Fou-Aoloau Roads, this would be the opportune time to address it now, while Federal Highway funding is available," Sanitoa wrote.

 

In an email correspondence received from DPW yesterday morning, which detailed all the work planned for each project site, it is listed under the project for Site #4, which includes Route 002- Pava'ia'i to Aoloau Village Road, that "concrete swales will be constructed on both edges for protection and to connect the runoff to existing swales/drainage system."

 

Samoa News understands that the 12 sites already identified under the 3-R program are the only ones that can be carried out with the funds that are available.

 

"Other road projects and sites will be identified once there is more money available to carry out the work," said a Samoa News source close to the project, who wished to remain anonymous. "Everyone needs to be patient. There is a long list of requests for road and drainage repairs across the territory but there is only so much that can be done with the limited amount of funds we have. Governor Lolo Moliga and his administration are making local road repairs a priority and DPW is doing what it can to make it happen. We have much to be thankful for. After all, we haven't seen this much progress as far as road repairs, in a number of years.”