Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Federal Highway Administration-Hawaii Division Territorial Representative Gabrielle Gersh, P.E, Department of Public Works Secretary Ray N. Yumul, Father Enrico Narcoda and lawmakers cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the opening of Route 36 or Windward/Kalabera Road on Tuesday.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios delivers his remarks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of Windward/Kalabera Road on Tuesday.
GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios, other CNMI officials and U.S. Federal Highway Administration-Hawaii Division Territorial Representative Gabrielle Gersh, P.E. on Tuesday cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the 1.67-mile portion of Windward/Kalabera Road or Route 36.
The $15.2 million road is Phase 2 of the island’s east coast highway project that connects Talofofo and Marpi. Phase 1 will follow soon, and will extend to about two miles to the Bird Island Lookout.
In his remarks, Palacios gave credit to the late U.S. Congressman Don Young who, through Public Law 109-59, funded the project with $12 million in 2004. Palacios also acknowledged the contributions of former Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who was then the CNMI’s Washington representative when he sought federal funding for the project; and former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, who held a groundbreaking ceremony two years ago.
“And by the way, just so you know, and in full disclosure, I asked [Department of Public Works] Secretary [Ray] Yumul to reach out and invite former Governor Torres…. Unfortunately, he could not make it, but we did invite him to join us,” Palacios said.
He said U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan also contributed to the funding of the project, so it’s a “whole slew of leaders coming together to make it happen. It didn’t matter who got it done, or who cut the ribbon or who broke the ground.”
Palacios likewise praised Yumul for “outdoing himself” in organizing the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“It’s a momentous occasion,” the governor said.
He said he was glad that “we were able to move on and start this project,” adding that the Federal Highway Administration should be proud of it.
The new highway, he said, will open up a lot of opportunities for landowners in the area as well as for recreation and tourism.
He said when Congressman Young appropriated the funds for the project, someone in Congress described it as a “road to nowhere.”
“Well, today we prove that Route 36 is a route to somewhere,” the governor added.
Milestone
In his remarks, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang said the project is a milestone in the CNMI government’s “relentless efforts to make the islands a great place to live, work, visit and run a business.”
Putting the plans together for the project took many years and many inputs from dedicated professionals, he said.
“I am sure the spectacular view of the ocean and just the wonder of driving on this new route in one of Saipan’s most remote areas should be enough to justify paying more at the gas pump,” Apatang said.
He thanked everyone involved in the project, especially the federal government. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for funding this construction project,” he said.
Federal Highway Administration-Hawaii Division Territorial Representative Gabrielle Gersh, P.E. said it was “very exciting to see the amazing people who made the project a reality.”
She said the partnership with DPW has been excellent, adding that she looks forward to many more projects with the department.
She also said that it was the “most interesting” and entertaining ribbon-cutting ceremony she had attended.
She said she was glad to see a beautiful road built to make sure that the public will be able to access the area.
Project description
Yumul said the completed 1.67-mile road is part of a 3.5-mile highway project, which includes grading and paving for a two-lane road. It features an 11.5-foot wide travel lanes, a 4.5-foot wide shoulder or bike lane on each side, drainage, permanent traffic markers, signs and concrete box culverts.
He said the area, located north of the Kingfisher Golf Links in Talofofo, was not passable as it was completely overgrown with vegetation.
He said restoring connectivity will complete a coastal transportation loop around the island with a scenic view.
Yumul said the Route 36 project is intended to increase driving safety, restore vehicular access into inaccessible areas and connect Marpi and Talofofo, which will provide a second access to historical sites in northern Saipan and reduce travel time from the northern side of the island to Capital Hill.
Duenas, Camacho & Associates prepared the engineering design; RNV Construction was the project contractor; and GHD Inc. handled construction management.
