There was a “big crater” in the area where the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. fixed a broken water pipe, a resident, who declined to be identified, told the Variety.
“It seems the Department of Public Works doesn’t care about our situation here,” he said.
Instead of fixing the road, DPW asked motorists to take a detour, he added.
DPW Tinian Resident Director Francisco Hocog said they have already instructed CUC to refill the hole that was the result of the excavation during the pipeline repair work.
“It is the responsibility of CUC to repair the road that they excavated,” he said, adding that DPW only ensures that the repair job is done in accordance to standards.
DPW also helps ensures the safety of the motorists in the area, he said.
In a separate interview, CUC Executive Director Abe Utu Malae said there were two main waterlines on Tinian that were broken last week.
He said the position of DPW that it is CUC’s responsibility to repair the road is correct.
DPW is helpful whenever CUC has a problem with water or power lines, he added.
“The permanent fix will be done by a professional asphalt repair company. It costs more because of mobilization, but it will be economical to perform permanent repairs to three or four excavations rather than just one,” Malae said.
At present there is a detour in the excavation area, he said.
Malae said CUC Tinian Resident Director Dolores Cabrera has already arranged for a local company to patch the road this week.
It will be a temporary fix until a more permanent fix is done, he added.
