SAIPAN — A 250-foot stretch of Route 34 still requires full reconstruction after Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the Department of Public Works said Monday, as Rep. Angelo A. Camacho urged the agency to immediately develop an alternate access road for the Kagman community.
DPW Secretary Ray N. Yumul said the Route 34 sinkhole that opened during the storm has been addressed, but the section in question continues to pose a safety hazard due to extensive linear asphalt cracking and underlying structural failure. The stretch remains vulnerable to further deterioration, especially during heavy rainfall, he said.
“Until reconstruction is completed, the risk of additional collapse persists, underscoring the need for an alternate access route to ensure uninterrupted mobility and public safety for Kagman residents,” Yumul said.
In a May 4 memo to Yumul, Camacho urged DPW to immediately plan and develop an alternate access road for Kagman. He said Route 34 currently serves as the sole point of entry and exit for residents, emergency services and the transport of essential goods, and that the community could be effectively isolated if the road fails again or is closed for permanent work.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Standing Committee on Natural Resources in the 24th CNMI Legislature, identified potential access through Lao Lao or As Teo as options for further study.
“The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated,” Camacho said in the memo. “Establishing an alternate route is not simply a matter of convenience, but a critical necessity to ensure continuity of essential services and to safeguard the well-being of residents.”
Camacho said the lack of a second road would severely impact emergency response, access to medical care, food and water distribution, utility restoration and overall public safety. He urged DPW to coordinate with relevant agencies and stakeholders to expedite the effort.