Perez amends previous statement on road project
Thursday, 04 February 2010 02:43
by Zita Y. Taitano | Variety News Staff
VICE speaker B.J. Cruz asked public works director Larry Perez to explain why the Department of Public Works’ plan to connect Marine Corps Drive to South Finegayan is not included in the 2030 Guam Transportation Plan.
Cruz, in a letter to the outgoing director, recalled that the plan for the construction of a new roadway from the intersection of Marine Corps Drive and Harmon Road to the Finegayan area was mentioned during last week’s hearing on the draft environmental impact statement.
At the hearing, Perez indicated that the project was in the draft study but not in the transportation plan, leaving Cruz curious.
“I am concerned over both the process that led to the proposal for this new road and the impact that construction of the road would have on the surrounding environment and the affected landowners,” the vice speaker stated in the letter.
Perez responded by saying, “although I inadvertently, mistakenly made the statement last meeting, and I stand corrected.
He added, “it was established there for purposes of creating new roads to minimize congestion on roadways to the entire community.”
Perez further explained that the road connection is not intended to for military use but is being created to address road congestion on Guam.
He also said DPW is actively collaborating with the military on development and construction projects to include mitigation and estimated costs of payment by the military.
“It is one of many projects needed for obviating and mitigating the transportation impact of our transportation network,” Perez said. “Everything that’s in the 2030 master plan is related in the buildup and those that are in the [draft impact study] are paid for by the military.”
Showing posts with label Congestion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Congestion. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
How will buildup affect Guam's roadways?
How will buildup affect Guam's roadways?
Posted: Feb 02, 2010 2:50 PM
Updated: Feb 02, 2010 6:32 PM
by Janjeera Hail
Guam - With Guam's roadways already struggling to keep up with a growing number of motorists, the military buildup promises to clog the streets even further. And while the Draft Environmental Impact Statement offers some solutions, they aren't all set in stone and may not make everyone happy.
One of the major concerns addressed in the DEIS is how the island's roadways will handle the large influx of drivers and increase in heavy equipments. One of the proposed solutions is to improve or create new military hull roads. According to Department of Public Works Director Larry Perez, a military hull road is any roadway used by the military to transport goods and personnel. For example, any road the military would use to connect the Port Authority to the various military installations.
One of the roadways being proposed would connect the Micronesia Mall intersection to NCTAMS by cutting across the land near Two Lovers Point. "That road is necessary to minimize the impact to the existing roadway of marine drive. If it's not built what you're going to see is a major congestion going north on marine drive past the mall up to Route 3," said Perez.
But this raises another concern - what about the land that the roadway is to be built on? Perez says his agency will do everything in their power to avoid condemnation and, even if it comes to that, it'll be up to the Legislature for final approval. "So therein lies an opportunity for the Legislature and the public hearing and the public at large to opine on whether the condemnation should proceed or not. And this could actually be a showstopper," he said.
But Perez adds that this project is a long way off. He says DPW is still identifying the dollars necessary for the survey, design, and construction of the project and doesn't anticipate the planning phase to be complete until 2011 or 2012. And even then, it's still a maybe, adding, "As is the case for the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Authorization Act and any further roads of this DEIS, none of the construction will commence until there's a record of decision issued for this DEIS."
Posted: Feb 02, 2010 2:50 PM
Updated: Feb 02, 2010 6:32 PM
by Janjeera Hail
Guam - With Guam's roadways already struggling to keep up with a growing number of motorists, the military buildup promises to clog the streets even further. And while the Draft Environmental Impact Statement offers some solutions, they aren't all set in stone and may not make everyone happy.
One of the major concerns addressed in the DEIS is how the island's roadways will handle the large influx of drivers and increase in heavy equipments. One of the proposed solutions is to improve or create new military hull roads. According to Department of Public Works Director Larry Perez, a military hull road is any roadway used by the military to transport goods and personnel. For example, any road the military would use to connect the Port Authority to the various military installations.
One of the roadways being proposed would connect the Micronesia Mall intersection to NCTAMS by cutting across the land near Two Lovers Point. "That road is necessary to minimize the impact to the existing roadway of marine drive. If it's not built what you're going to see is a major congestion going north on marine drive past the mall up to Route 3," said Perez.
But this raises another concern - what about the land that the roadway is to be built on? Perez says his agency will do everything in their power to avoid condemnation and, even if it comes to that, it'll be up to the Legislature for final approval. "So therein lies an opportunity for the Legislature and the public hearing and the public at large to opine on whether the condemnation should proceed or not. And this could actually be a showstopper," he said.
But Perez adds that this project is a long way off. He says DPW is still identifying the dollars necessary for the survey, design, and construction of the project and doesn't anticipate the planning phase to be complete until 2011 or 2012. And even then, it's still a maybe, adding, "As is the case for the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Authorization Act and any further roads of this DEIS, none of the construction will commence until there's a record of decision issued for this DEIS."
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