Traveling on the island’s dirt roads has long been a challenge for residents and visitors alike, and recent heavy rainfall has only worsened the situation. Potholes and mud make driving difficult and sometimes hazardous, raising questions about when these roads will finally be paved.
For example, the dirt road near the Taco Bell in Sasaki illustrates the issue well. Despite the recent growth in commercial activity in this area, the road remains unpaved and in poor condition. Drivers might expect such a busy area to have received attention, but it remains among many dirt roads across the island requiring urgent repair.
Francis Gomez, interim director of DOW, confirmed that funds have been allocated specifically for paving dirt roads with asphalt, though he did not disclose the exact amount. A select number of roads are scheduled to be paved this year.
“This initiative will allow us to systematically transform many dirt roads into durable asphalt streets,” Gomez explained. He added that, over the course of roughly 20 years, DOW aims to continue this program, and with consistent annual funding, the agency can implement a structured, long-term plan to address the island’s infrastructure needs.
DOW receives numerous requests from the public regarding dirt road conditions and traffic-calming measures. The agency uses specific criteria to determine which roads require the most urgent attention, ensuring that high-priority areas can be addressed first. The combination of increased traffic, commercial development, and worsening weather underscores the pressing need for these improvements.
