Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Public Works (DPW) is seeking federal funding to construct speed bumps along Fogagogo Road, the Vaitogi main road, and the side road near Mase Akapo’s residence. This initiative aims to address growing safety concerns from local residents, who have reported multiple accidents and near-miss incidents due to  excessive speeding in these areas.

Concerned residents reached out to the two Tualauta faipule, Fagaima Larry Sanitoa and Ben Vaomu Sauvao, who promptly raised the matter with the DPWs' Engineering Division in early September.

In an email to DPW Director Taeaotui P. Tilei, Fagaima emphasized the urgent need to address the issue, noting that the affected roads posed a serious danger to motorists and pedestrians — particularly during the late-night hours.

He pointed out that the Fogagogo road is particularly accident-prone due to its narrow width. His constituents have informed him that they have repeatedly requested the installation of speed bumps to help slow down traffic, especially at night, but they are still waiting for a response.

Sauvao noted that residents of Fogagogo have also called for the installation of street lights to aid drivers — particularly during heavy rainfall — when navigating poorly lit roads becomes especially challenging.

During clear weather and late-night hours, drivers often speed along the narrow, winding road, slowing down only when another vehicle comes into view. This becomes especially dangerous when both vehicles approach a sharp curve at the same time — each trying not to veer too far to the edge. In such moments, the risk of a serious accident is alarmingly high.

Fagaima noted that a similar problem exists along the Vaitogi main road, which is wider and extends in a long, straight stretch from Ili‘ili to Vaitogi village near the coast. He said motorists often drive at dangerously high speeds, particularly when heading downhill late at night when there is little to no traffic.

He added that there have also been several near misses involving vehicles traveling to Vaitogi from the road opposite the golf course through the inland route that connects with the main road at the junction near Mase Akapo’s residence. Some of these vehicles have narrowly avoided collisions with oncoming traffic on the main road.

Faipule Fagaima strongly emphasized the urgent need to install a speed bump at a strategic location — just before the junction where the inland road merges with the Vaitogi main road. He explained that vehicles descending the slope toward Vaitogi village proper often approach the junction at high speeds, posing a serious risk of collision with oncoming traffic. Installing a speed bump at this point would compel drivers to slow down, significantly reducing the likelihood of accidents.

He reminded DPW Director Taeaotui that this specific section of the Vaitogi main road has long been identified as a priority for traffic calming measures. With the area remaining on the department’s speed bump list for several years, Fagaima urged that it was time to act — stressing that public safety must come first.

The Tualauta faipule’s concerns were echoed by Vaitogi village mayor Leuaea, who told Samoa News that this particular section of the road is extremely dangerous and action must be taken soon before a serious accident occurs. He added that other areas of concern include the section near the CCCAS Vaitogi Church and the residential area leading toward the coast, where safety measures are urgently needed to protect parishioners and children.

Representative Fagaima Larry Sanitoa reiterated that hazardous road conditions are not limited to Tualauta, noting that similar safety concerns exist in other districts. He highlighted that neighboring Tualatai faipule, Representative Manavaalofa Tutuila Manase, has also submitted requests for speed bumps across multiple road sections in his constituency.

Representative Ben Vaomu Sauvao highlighted another initiative underway in collaboration with Representative Fagaima at Mapusaga, aimed at improving the inland road that serves several constituents—particularly individuals with disabilities and those undergoing dialysis treatment.

"The condition of the road to their homes is so poor that only a 4-wheel drive truck can get through," Sauvao remarked. "We’re hopeful that the Department of Public Works will secure the necessary funding to make the road more accessible, especially since these residents need reliable transportation to reach the hospital for their medical checkups."

In an interview with Samoa News, DPW Deputy Director of Engineering, Uaealesi Doris Faumuina-Sipelii, said the department has been conducting feasibility assessments in areas where requests for speed bumps have been submitted. She explained that it is crucial to ensure all installations meet the required safety standards and engineering specifications.

According to Uaealesi, their assessments have confirmed the need for speed bumps in the requested locations, and the department is currently working on securing federal funding to proceed with their installation.

She also highlighted ongoing road improvement work, including the striping project in Tafuna, which begins at the airport exit road and continues through Nu‘uuli to Fagatogo. Similar work has also started from the airport entry road extending toward the Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Representatives Fagaima Larry Sanitoa and Ben Vaomu Sauvao expressed their appreciation for the progress made so far and said they hope the road striping project can be extended to cover the entire stretch to Ili‘ili. They also urged that special attention be given to clearly marking turn-in lanes for the Airport Service Station, Cost-U-Less, and the Tradewinds Hotel access road, as well as ensuring all crosswalks are properly striped.