By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang, Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho, Department of Public Works Secretary Ray N. Yumul, and members of the Legislature on Tuesday held a groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of Mt. Tapochao Road.
The $9.8 million road project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, involves paving, realignment, and construction of a drainage system on the 2.1-mile road from the base of Mt. Tapochao to its peak, the highest point on Saipan.
The governor recalled that when he was mayor of Saipan, he frequently received calls from residents living along Mt. Tapochao Road asking his office to fix the road. With limited resources, the mayor’s office could only perform temporary repairs to keep the road drivable, which had to be repeated over and over.
He said maintaining the road in even somewhat good condition was a constant expense. Nevertheless, the mayor’s office carried out the repairs, and motorists were considerably satisfied with the frequent maintenance, especially during Lent when the road is prepared for Good Friday observances.
As they broke ground for the project on Tuesday, the governor said he was informed it will be completed by March 2027. “The project must move forward, as it has been way too long in the waiting,” he said. He urged the contractor, GPPC Inc., to prevent any unnecessary delays and noted that the completion date coincides with the annual Good Friday pilgrimage to the peak of Tapochao. If the project is finished by then, he said, it would be a welcome relief for the hundreds or thousands of Good Friday trekkers.
For his part, Yumul said that, as secretary of the DPW, he was pleased to share that the Mt. Tapochao Road paving project is officially underway.
With a winning bid of $9,880,988.00 and a 360-working-day construction timeline beginning Oct. 1, 2025, the long-awaited upgrade “will bring safer, more reliable access to one of Saipan’s most visited mountain peaks and to the residents who live along the roadway.”
The project, Yumul said, is a major step forward for public safety. It will improve emergency response times, reduce vehicle wear and tear, and enhance the experience for residents and visitors alike. But, as with any major infrastructure effort, progress comes with temporary inconvenience, he added.
“I kindly ask the driving community — especially residents living along the 2.1-mile stretch of road — to exercise patience and understanding during the construction period. Your cooperation is vital to ensuring the safety of workers and the smooth completion of this project,” Yumul said.
He extended his heartfelt thanks to Dr. Daniel Lamar and Joe Taijeron, residents of Mt. Tapochao, for joining them at the groundbreaking ceremony. “Their presence and support reflect the community spirit that makes this project truly meaningful,” he said.
“Together, we’re paving the way for a safer, stronger Saipan,” he added.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.