Most Saipan traffic lights remain dark after Bavi as DPW awaits power restoration

Most traffic lights across Saipan remain out of service several days after Super Typhoon Bavi, with the Department of Public Works saying the signals were deliberately shut down before the storm and many have since been knocked out of alignment by powerful winds while crews wait for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to restore power.

DPW Secretary Ray Yumul said the department took preventive measures before Bavi struck by switching off the traffic signal system to protect the infrastructure.

"We did take preventive measures. My crew in traffic... went out and turned off all the traffic light systems prior to the typhoon's arrival," he told Marianas Press during an interview last July 8.

Following the storm, DPW conducted rapid damage assessments and found that most of the traffic signal fixtures survived but were twisted by the strong winds.

"We did a quick damage assessment, and most of the fixtures are just pointing in the wrong direction. So I have a crew going out there and readjusting it and getting it ready."

Yumul said once CUC restores electricity to signalized intersections that were operational before the typhoon, many lights should resume functioning immediately.

He noted that only two intersections are currently operational—the MH-2 intersection near the U.S. Army Reserve Center and the Chinatown intersection near JG Sablan Water & Ice, Inc.—because power has already been restored there. Most other signals remain offline due primarily to damaged transformers that still need replacement.

One of the biggest concerns remains the busy intersection between the Commonwealth Health Center and American Memorial Park, where the signal has been out for weeks. Yumul said the issue stems from incompatible transformers and DPW is hoping to secure temporary Federal Emergency Management Agency generator support while awaiting a permanent fix from CUC.

Until the signals are restored, Yumul urged motorists to follow guidance issued by Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas and treat every dark traffic light as a four-way stop.

"All traffic light systems, if they're not operating, it must be treated as a four-way stop."

Under a four-way stop, every vehicle must come to a complete stop before entering the intersection. The first vehicle to stop has the right of way, while all other drivers must yield and proceed one at a time in turn.

"Please... drive slow as you're coming up to the traffic intersection. Do not speed on through. It is considered a four-way stop, so you must come to a complete stop before traveling through it."

He said DPW is also replacing stop signs that were blown down by Bavi to reinforce traffic control at affected intersections until normal signal operations resume.