Hagatna Bridge gets overdue makeover

by Krystal Paco

Guam - For Department of Public Works director Joanne Brown, the Hagatna Bridge Replacement Project is an example of history repeating itself: 65 years ago the Marines built the bridge and today, Federal Highway Administration and Department of Defense are funding much needed safety and capacity improvements, to include wider sidewalks, an additional dedicated right-turn lane from Route 1 to Route 8, and two left-turns from Route 8 onto Route 1.

"After this project's completed we're going to have a bigger bridge we're going to have a stronger bridge and we're going to have a bridge that's going to last way beyond our lifetime," said Brown. "And I think that's the important vision we need to keep in mind Guam's economic growth and development is certainly very contingent upon the roads and bridges around the island that connect us...now the biggest concern for this 16.3 million dollar project is the traffic delays to come with it."

She continued, "We certainly recommend that if you have to come to come to Hagatna and you do have to go through the Quipuha and Marine Drive Intersection that you add another 15 to 20 minutes to your commute to your day to start out earlier. I'm sure in time we'll see what the traffic flow is, we'll have a better understanding. and also at the same time I would encourage the public if they could look at alternate routes around this particular area, that would be recommended."

Brown says during high traffic hours, Route 1 will be reduced by one lane going both north and south. Brown adds that contractor Coretech International HAS the flexibility to pursue construction in the evening hours. According to Governor Eddie Calvo, today marks the start of his vision to revitalize the island's capital.

"As this process goes on in hagatna you're going to have the commitment of our administration in working with the police department, the department of Public Works, the fire department all our other partnering agencies as the process goes along. Again, this is something that we haven't done in 60 some years with that bridge. You have our commitment that we will be looking at the situation and see how it unfolds," he said.