L.T.A. moves to fix dangerous Apaula Road

By Joyetter Luamanu 28 December 2017, 12:00AM

The Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) has promised that it will make fixing a dangerous piece of road at Apaula Heights in Lalovaea a priority.

The promise comes from L.T.A.’s Chief Executive Officer, Leasi Ioane Galuvao, in response to questions from the Samoa Observer about why the road has not been fixed despite many members of the public complaining about.

This week, the Samoa Observer received a number of calls from angry motorists living in the area. They expressed disappointment about the lack of action by the government in fixing the road, which they say is a major threat to lives.

Leasi confirmed their office has received the complaints.

“However as you can see from the photos, there is quite a steep hillside on the left where a land slide has taken out most of the road shoulder and pavement,” he said. 

Fixing it will require some time, he added.

 “The work is not straight forward. It requires proper engineering investigation and designs. 

“Once the designs have been checked and approved, the works will then be tendered out for construction. 

“Tenders are then evaluated and assessed and a recommendation is submitted for approval from the Government’s Tenders Board.

 “Once this approval is received, we inform the winning bidder and the works then commence. 

“If the works include any materials which need to be ordered from overseas (which is the case in these works – gabion baskets are required for these works and have to be ordered from overseas), adequate time is given for these orders to arrive.  

 “That is the process (in simple terms) for these works and as you can appreciate it takes some time for the process to get from initial investigation and design to construction stage. 

 “But I am happy to inform that tenders board approval have been obtained and we should be commencing construction sometime soon in January 2018.” 

Leasi explained there other factors. This includes negotiations with families whose land is affected.

 “The works will be using gabion baskets to rebuild the hillside and the base of this gabion basket wall will actually be well within the boundary of the family.  

 “I can understand the people’s perception that nothing has been done however as I have explained, there is a process for these works and it takes time. 

 “We therefore ask and thank the public for their patience as well as their cooperation during construction as the whole road will be closed off during construction. 

 “The upper side will however be opened for use.”

By Joyetter Luamanu 28 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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