Biggest road project for the new year breaks ground
The major reconstruction project for the main highway leading from Fagatogo to the Pago Plaza broke ground this afternoon during a brief ceremony held at the Pago Pago Tennis Courts.
Contracted to McConnell Dowell for $8.275million dollars (fully funded by the Federal Highway Administration), the Route I Corridor Road and Drainage Rehabilitation Project Phase II will include major work like the installation of 2-11 foot wide lanes and four-foot bicycle lanes that cover a total length of 6,384 linear feet.
The project will begin from the entry/exit of the Department of Port Administration in Fagatogo up to the Pago Pago bridge adjacent the Pago Plaza in Pago Pago.
The project will 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 the entrance at the Pago Way Gas Station in Malaloa.
The project will also include the installation of new sidewalks with curbs and gutters on both sides of the road throughout the project length, 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 $131K.
The contract time for the completion of the project has been set for 365 calendar days.
The ground breaking for the project is significant in that, earlier this year, the Department of Public Works had been juggling with the idea of breaking the project down into two separate phases in order to cut down on costs.
Today’s ceremony was led by Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs HTC Nanai Kalasa Afuola who served as master of ceremony. Rev. Elder Masalosalo Sopoaga of the Pago Pago CCCAS Church offered the opening prayer and blessed the site.
A brief project description was offered by Public Works director Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei, followed by remarks from McConnell Dowell project manager Basil Ake.
Governor Togiola Tulafono was the special guest of honor.
“Today, we initiate the continuation series of construction phases that will upgrade the main corridor of Route I from the Fire Station to Pago Plaza,” said Togiola. “For many years, the residents of the island of Tutuila 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.”
Togiola thanked the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration for their solid financial support “for this important series of projects that enhances both safety and economic development in the territory.”
The Governor also commended the Department of Public Works “on all the work they have accomplished to improve road systems throughout the islands.”
Togiola extended his best wishes to contractors McConnell Dowell and concluded by saying, “This Administration remains firmly committed to the people of American Samoa to provide safe and adequate road systems.”
The turning of the soil to officially mark the groundbreaking was carried out by Governor Togiola with the assistance of lawmakers, and village and traditional leaders of Pago Pago village.
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