Department of Public Works Secretary Ray N. Yumul issued a memorandum requesting the Division of Procurement Services’ approval for an invitation-to-bid announcement.
THE Department of Public Works on Thursday announced that it will soon accept bids for the Tapochao Road improvement project.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, the $12.5 million project will improve 11,000 feet of coral road, extending from Capital Hill Road to the lookout point, the highest peak on Saipan.
On Thursday morning, DPW Secretary Ray N. Yumul signed a memorandum requesting the Division of Procurement Services’ approval for an invitation-to-bid announcement next week.
In an interview, Yumul said the Tapochao Road improvement project includes the paving of a 1,300-foot stretch of Chalan Galaide Road, which will be “one of the major road projects undertaken by the administration of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios.”
Yumul said the project should be completed in one year. “At least, that’s the target,” he added.
“This is a critical road that needs to be paved because we have tourism activities up at the peak. We also have critical infrastructure there, like the radio towers that serve the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services and other communication facilities such as cell towers. This is an important stretch of road that needs to be improved for the whole community,” Yumul said.
He thanked the administration of Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang “for staying on top of these road projects.” He also thanked the Federal Highway Administration, and CNMI government agencies, such as the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Coastal Resources Management, and Department of Public Lands, “just to name a few,” that helped provide the regulatory clearances that DPW needed.
He said the mitigation of threats to endangered wildlife, flora and fauna was among the issues that delayed the project over the last several months. Now, he added, the Tapochao Road improvement project is moving forward.
He said the proposal to pave Tapochao Road was first made nearly 20 years ago, but it was opposed by some residents who wanted to preserve the area in its “natural form.”
But there were also residents who wanted the road paved, Yumul said.
Over the years, he said, residents and visitors have struggled to access Tapochao due to the poor condition of the road, worsened by runoff from heavy rains.
“Overall, it is a community-wide effort that has brought this project to where it is today — ready to go out to bid,” Yumul said.
