Guam’s roads, from main highways to village backstreets, were in the hot seat at the Department of Public Works’ FY2026 budget hearing. 

Director Vince Arriola says DPW is doing the best it can but some of the most basic road upkeep has taken a back seat to addressing the growing issue of abandoned vehicles and tire collection.

“A big part of this really takes away from our standard road maintenance… potholes, street repair, things of that nature… a lot of it is because we’re attending to this,” said Arriola. 

One area getting special attention? Dead Man’s Curve. 

The recently installed “rumble strips” and collaboration with the Guam Police Department is working to slow drivers down.

“It’s made to slow people down. They’re called rumble strips. They’re 2 mm thick rumble strips and anyone who has driven you’ll feel the bumps and it’s intended to make you slow down,” added Arriola. 

But outside of main highways, it’s Guam's back roads are also in crisis. 

Senator Telo Taitague raised concerns about areas where even basic access is blocked.

“You get Solid Waste who refuse to drive in there to pick up their trash,” said Taitague. “It’s not just having a nice road so that our tires don’t break down or our axles don’t break. It’s about ambulances being able to get back there when there’s an emergency.”

Senators urged DPW to ask for the additional funding needed outside of their budget request for village road paving, especially as complaints grow about fading striping and crater-like potholes.

“Give us the 10 million, give us 12 million — we’ll spend it. There are roads out there that need to be paved. We can certainly agree on that, said Arriola. 

Meanwhile, bus stops, some damaged by typhoons or vehicle collisions, are also getting attention. 

DPW says they plan to build dozens of new shelters this year using a cost-effective in-house design.

“30 to 50 bus stops. We have an in-house design for them,” said Arriola. “We’re probably looking at a materials cost of maybe $2,500 per bus stop, bus shelter.”

Still, a lack of concrete safety barriers and staff capacity continue to stretch the department thin, even as demand for services grows.

Lawmakers now say it’s time to match that demand with dollars.

DPW’s total FY2026 budget request stands at $22.4 million and we’ll have more from the hearing on Monday.