Office of Planning and Development Senior Civil Engineer Mariano Iglecias speaks at the general membership meeting of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday at Kensington.
RAINY weather is preventing the pouring of asphalt onto Paseo De Marianas, according to Office of Planning and Development Senior Civil Engineer Mariano Iglecias.
He fielded several questions about the Garapan Revitalization Project on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at the Kensington Resort during the general membership meeting of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.
The Paseo De Marianas improvement project is part of the $11.17 million Garapan Revitalization Project. The project contractor is USA Fanter.
“Mother Nature has not been cooperating with us,” Iglecias said “We need to make sure that the sub-base is dry and also the top layer before we finalize the last layer.”
When asked whether Paseo De Marianas could receive automobile traffic in the next 90 days, Iglecias said it is a possibility, but he couldn’t give a specific date.
In his presentation, Iglesias said the following tasks have been completed:
• Sub-base material placement, compaction, and density testing.
• Curbs, gutters, and sidewalk bases.
• Storm drain catchment basins.
• Basecourse material placement.
Iglecias said the original project deadline of November 2024 is still the expected completion date of the entire Garapan Revitalization Project.
Variety files state that completion of Phase 1 of the Garapan Revitalization Project had been delayed since April of this year.
Phase 1 of the development includes Paseo De Marianas, Plumeria Road, Micro Beach Road, Ginger Avenue, Coconut Street, Coffee Tree Mall, Cpl. Derence Jack Road and Royal Palm Avenue.
OPD construction projects are running concurrently with a Commonwealth Utilities Corp. sewer line project along some of the same streets.
Iglecias said OPD will focus development on the northern side of Royal Palm Avenue, Ginger Avenue, Plumeria Avenue and Coffee Tree Mall.
He said when CUC completes work on the southern portions of those roads, OPD can complete its construction projects there.
Regarding the impact of the CW touchback provision on the project, Iglecias said USA Fanter may subcontract manpower services.
“That’s in the works for them to alleviate the shortfall of manpower,” Iglecias said.
