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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – American Samoa
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Friday, December 28, 2007)
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(684) 633-4116 - Fax: (684) 633-2269 - Cell: (684) 731-8989

Gov. Togiola breaks ground on $8.3 million
Fagatogo-Pago Pago road project

(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today broke ground on the $8.3 million Fagatogo to Pago Pago main road reconstruction project.

In a ground breaking ceremony at roadside near the Pago Pago Tennis Courts, Governor Togiola expressed his thanks to the village council of Pago Pago and Fagatogo for their patience on the delay of road improvement going through their respective villages.

“I very much appreciate the support from the villages of Maoputasi County, and I commend the village and county leadership for their cooperation in working with the government to deliver these very important projects,” said Governor Togiola. “It took awhile due to a lack of funding, and now that we have it, we have come together to bless the land and giving thanks to God for allowing us to use His property. As the Bible says ‘All things were created by Him, and for Him,’ and we are nothing but stewards of His creation, and we are to use it and use it well. If we use it wisely, it will be blessed. If we don’t use it wisely, it will be condemned and it will be for naught.”

The $8.275 million the Route I Corridor Road and Drainage Rehabilitation Project Phase II, which is fully funded by the Federal Highway Administration, has been awarded to McConnell Dowell, will start o nthe main road in front of the Department of Port Administration in Fagatogo up to the Pago Pago bridge at Vaipito stream near Pago Plaza –a distance of 1.2 miles or 6,384 feet.

The project will include the construction of two 11 foot wide road lanes and four-foot wide bicycle lanes. It will also include curve widening and three lane sections. Ten-foot turn-in lanes will be installed at the Lumana’i Building parking lot entrances, the Fagatogo Square area, the entrance to the Fagatogo Marketplace, and at Pago Way Gas Station in Malaloa.

New sidewalks with curbs and gutters on both sides of the road are also part of the project, in addition to the installation of PVC pipes, 2-4 inch vaults, laterals, utility poles and stub outs for the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) portion of the project which costs over $131,880.

The contract time for the completion of the project has been set for 365 calendar days.

“Today marks the start of phase two of this very ambitious project. I know it will be an excellent road and it is going to be one of the best parts of our road system through the Bay Area,” said Governor TogiIola. “For many years, our residents have had to endure hardships and hazards that are associated with an inadequate road system that is under-designed to meet the growing needs of the population. Phase II of this program will upgrade the drainage from Fagatogo to Pago Plaza. I am pleased to break ground for this second phase of road construction on a program of projects within the main corridor that will meet the needs of the traveling public. And I want to also express the gratitude of the government to the traveling public for their patience.”

Governor Togiola thanked the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration for their solid financial support for the important series of projects that will enhance both safety and economic development in the territory.

“It’s important that we acknowledge the strong support of the federal government for these much-needed projects and I would also like to commend Director Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei and the Department of Public Works on the great job and work they have accomplished to improve the road systems throughout the islands. And to the contractor, McConnell Dowell, I extend my best wishes and say thank you for taking on this great project. This Administration remains firmly committed to the people of American Samoa to provide a safe and adequate road system.”

The Department of Public Works Project Engineer is Fa’alava’i Ta’ase and Project Inspector is Alofa Tanuvasa.

Guests at the ground breaking ceremony included Rev. Elder Masalosalo Sopoaga of the Pago Pago CCCAS Church, Pago Pago chiefs Asuega Fa’amamata and Vaivao Etelagi, Pago Pago Rep. Fiasili Haleck, Fagatogo Rep. Leapai Sipa Anoa’i, Leloaloa & Atu’u Rep. Vaito’a Hans Langkilde, Basil Ake of McConnell Dowell, and Cabinet members Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei, Utu Abe Malae, Faleseu Eliu Paopao and Talia Fa’afetai I’aulualo.