On Thursday, the Department of Public Works defended their Fiscal Year 2026 budget request of $22.4 million before lawmakers.

As KUAM reported, DPW has made some improvements to road safety already, adding “rumble strips” to places like Dead Man’s Curve to slow drivers down. 

The department is also tackling a few capital improvement projects such as refurbishing the Hagatna Pool, repairing Paseo Stadium, and constructing a bio lab in Mangilao, as well as an evidence building in Yigo.

However, DPW Director Vincent Arriola says the collection of abandoned vehicles and tires across the island is slowing everything down.

“We’ve collected over 150 vehicles and that’s just on the easements,” said Arriola. “A big part of this really takes away from our standard road maintenance…When they leave these vehicles, they become a hazard for other drivers and we want to remove them as much as possible because if someone veers off the road or slams into one of these abandoned cars, that could be catastrophic.”

And he’s calling for stiffer penalties, including fines and community service, for those who abandon these vehicles.

“To me, this is a crime against the community. I think if you harm the community, you should pay the community back,” added Arriola. 

With the agency responsible for removing these hazards under Public Law 37-60, the director says they are working with the EPA to get direct funding for vehicle removal and says they'll continue working with mayors and residents to clear the island's roadways.