Drive slow: Road and bridge construction lies ahead

BY PATRICIA L. SHOOK
Journal Staff

Guam will experience several major construction projects in the next few years — possibly beginning from as early as the end of December this year, according to Vincent P. Arriola, director of the Guam Department of Public Works.
“We’ve finished a good four or five big projects the last couple of years. We’ve got one ongoing and are ramping up on maybe four new big ones,” he said.

According to Journal files, about $280.9 million in federal funds will be used to harden Defense Access Roads that essentially connect U.S. military installations in Guam, stretching from Andersen Air Force Base to Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz to Naval Base Guam.

The first DAR road was Rte. 3, between Marine Corps Drive and Marine Corp. Camp Blaz, and widened the road, according to Journal files. The project was awarded to Black Construction Corp.

Construction along Route 10 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway in Mangilao. Photo by Skyler Obispo

The main project is the hardening of Marine Corps. Drive or Route 1, also now known as Defense Access Road 1, part of the DAR program. That was estimated at $167 million by the Office of the Governor in July, with completion in the 2027 to 2028 timeframe. That would be awarded in two bundles as Package A: Chamorro Village to Camp Blaz, at $62 million; and Package B: Naval Base Guam’s Main Gate (Route 2A) to Chamorro Village, at $105 million.

“We’ve been working toward this for the last four or five years. [The Department of War] gave us some initial money back in 2018, so we’ve been doing design, appraisals, easements, and rights of ways. We can’t do all six lanes — it’s just too much money. So, we’re dedicating one lane in each direction,” Arriola said. The inner lanes will be resurfaced, while the outer lanes will not, because there is limited land and outer lanes are more prone to flooding and potholes.

“The idea is to strengthen two lanes — literally rip up the road and start from scratch with higher-end base and asphalt,” he said.

The first Request for Proposals for bridges was released on Oct. 28 and is expected to be awarded by the end of the year, he said. Funds for the bridges were estimated at $82.5 million by the Office of the Governor, with completion due in 2027.

Arriola said some DAR roads would be able to take loads of more than 200,000 pounds. “But we have a number of bridges in between — Fonte and Laguas, for example — that are only rated at 800 to 900 pounds. Arriola said DPW realized it was time to completely rebuild all five bridges, along with strengthening Marine drive.

As to the bridges proposed for demolition and rebuilding, Arriola said, “At this point, we only have enough money for design and environmental issues … but we decided we need to start now. We’ll start with two bridges up north and follow up with southern bridges after the repaving project.”

Arriola said he expects contractors “medium and large — to come to the table.” Assuming bids come in by December, it will take a couple of months to review plans. “If all goes well, with no procurement protests, we could probably break ground by summer, if not earlier.”

“The funding for that is about $40 million, which we believe is sufficient. We know those bridges need to be replaced.”

(From left) Linda J. Ibanez, deputy director, and Vincent P. Arriola, director, both with the Guam Department of Public Works. Photo by Patricia L. Shook

During the road hardening construction period, Arriola said, “From Naval Station to Andersen, we will always have two lanes open by hook or crook. If we close down to one lane, we’ll really be in trouble.”

The first two bridges to be replaced are Asan Bridge and Laguas Bridge. The other three bridges: Fonte Bridge near Pigo Cemetery, Sasa Bridge South of Rte. 18, near Polaris Point, and Atan Tano, just outside of Naval Base Guam to the North, will be completed after the road hardening.

“The idea is to strengthen two lanes — literally rip up the road and start from scratch with higher end base and asphalt.”

In some areas, the middle lane will be reconstructed with additional feet on each side. All medians will be removed during the project and replaced at the end of it. Underground gas and electrical systems will be laid between Cabras to Naval Station. Andersen’s systems are already completely underground.

Among the other repairs scheduled are Route 10A or Airport Road which will be repaved with two lanes and a middle turn lane in both directions. Sidewalks will also be installed.

Upgrades to Route 14 or Ypao Road have already been completed and are to set to continue the work from Seventh Day Adventist Clinic to Marine Corps Drive. This will include three lanes and sidewalks. “There’s a lot of tourists walking there now,” Arriola said.
Local projects in the villages are on the agenda as well. Arriola said there is only $2 million available for that work but it said will be much less expensive with regular asphalt. DPW does the prep work, grading, baseboard, and then the contractor will come in and lay three inches of regular asphalt. “It’s so much cheaper and should still hold up for 10 to 15 years if not more. It works out very well,” he said.

“Road wise, I wish we could do Route 15, the Back Road to Andersen. With the possibility of a new hospital coming online [in Mangilao] we’re in the design phase to expand Route 15,” Arriola said. mbj

— Maureen N. Maratita contributed to this story.