DPW: Chalan Galaide upgrade could cost up to $10.6M, requires acquisition of 59 properties

The Department of Public Works has outlined a costly and complex path toward rehabilitating Chalan Galaide (Route 38), citing extensive right-of-way issues, drainage constraints, and long-term storm damage, according to a Feb. 3, 2025, letter from DPW Secretary Ray N. Yumul to Reps. Marissa Flores and John Paul Sablan of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation.

“Thank you for reaching out to the Department of Public Works regarding the condition of Chalan Galaide (Route 38) and your inquiry on how this roadway may be addressed,” Yumul wrote. “I appreciate your continued advocacy for the safety and accessibility of our island’s transportation network.”

Yumul said Route 38 has suffered years of wear due to natural and infrastructure-related limitations.

“Chalan Galaide has experienced significant deterioration over the years due to terrain, drainage limitations, and repeated storm impacts,” he said. “DPW has incorporated Route 38 into our ongoing roadway assessment and prioritization process, and the department is coordinating with the Capital Improvement Program Office and the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to ensure that roadway restoration aligns with planned underground utility upgrades.”

According to the letter, DPW’s preliminary review shows the project would affect dozens of private and public landholdings.

“As part of our preliminary review—conducted jointly by DPW’s Engineering Division and the Right-of-Way Section—the department identified that the proposed Route 38 improvement project encroaches upon 59 individual properties, as reflected in the attached parcel list,” Yumul said. “Of these, 10 parcels are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Lands.”

Yumul noted that the roadway has not yet undergone a formal severance process and does not meet arterial road standards.

“At present, no complete severance of the roadway has been performed, and the existing roadway measures approximately 30 feet at its widest point,” he said. “For the project to meet arterial roadway standards and accommodate construction activities, drainage improvements, and utility easements, DPW recommends completing a severance map establishing a total right-of-way width of 70 feet.”

He added that the severance plan would also have to account for stormwater management.

“The severance map will also need to incorporate the locations of ponding basins, which have been included in the attached property listing,” Yumul said.

DPW estimates the cost to prepare the severance map alone at hundreds of thousands of dollars, with land acquisition and construction pushing the project into the multimillion-dollar range.

“Right-of-way acquisition costs are preliminarily estimated between $1.2 million and $2.6 million, based on projected appraisal values,” Yumul said. “Construction costs for the roadway, drainage improvements, and associated infrastructure are estimated between $5 million and $8 million.”

“Taken together, the total estimated cost for right-of-way acquisition and construction ranges from $6.2 million to $10.6 million,” he added.

Yumul also underscored that federal requirements would govern any future construction timeline.

“As with all federally funded roadway projects approved by the Federal Highway Administration, all acquisition cases must be resolved with a clear title vested in the CNMI government prior to construction authorization,” he said.

At present, Route 38 is not eligible for federal transportation funding.

“At this time, Route 38 is not included in the Territorial Transportation Improvement Program,” Yumul said. “However, DPW may petition the Federal Highway Administration for its inclusion, provided that the necessary right-of-way, engineering, and environmental prerequisites are satisfied.”

He said legislative backing would be critical.

“Legislative support for this effort would strengthen the CNMI’s position in seeking federal approval and funding,” Yumul said.

In the meantime, DPW said it will continue basic repairs.

“In the interim, our maintenance crews, with joint efforts from the Saipan Mayor’s Office, we will continue to perform patching and road repair,” Yumul said.

Calling the lawmakers’ inquiry “timely,” Yumul closed by inviting further coordination.

“Your inquiry is timely, and your support is valuable as we work to secure the resources necessary to fully rehabilitate this corridor,” he said. “Should the Legislature identify supplemental funding or wish to collaborate on accelerating right-of-way actions or project delivery, DPW would welcome the opportunity to coordinate further.”’

Marianas Press made an ocular inspection of the road last Feb. 9 and was greeted by two residents doing their own “maintenance” of what one of them described as the “best road” on the island.

Armed with two shovels, they were clearing debris that pooled in the base of Chalan Galaide road, which had cost them yearly upkeep costs of their vehicles, especially on tires and suspensions.