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Guam - Governor Eddie Calvo joined DPW Director Joann Brown and other officials this morning [Tuesday] to cut the ribbon marking the completion of the Gill-Baza Access Road.

Governor Calvo commended the hard work of the DPW employees and called it a “great day for the residents of the Gil Baza subdivision,” because it allows school buses to drive down to the entrance of the subdivision which means students no longer have to trudge over the old pot-holed road, often in the rain, to get to the bus stop.

It is the first in-house road project to be completed by DPW in 10-years and it came in under budget using only $425-thousand of the $800-thousand that was appropriated for the job.

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DPW Director Brown congratulated the employees who worked on the project and said "even in spite of the fact that this Department has not had all the resources that it needs, we have a very strong spirit in our people that they can do things and they can make things happen."

READ the release from the Governor's office in FULL below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2012

Residents of the Gil Baza Subdivision no longer have to dodge the potholes and craters on their access road. What was once unsightly and bumpy is now paved and straight. Contractual and design work began over a year ago. Construction was completed in three months by DPW workers – the first road DPW has done in-house in 10 years.

DPW only had to use approximately $425,000 of $800,000 appropriated. Governor Calvo plans to introduce legislation appropriating the remaining funds for other road projects. The funds remaining are being written into legislation to fund road repairs to Roy T. Damian Street in Mongmong-Toto-Maite, and Mamis Street in Mangilao. Villagers have long complained about the damaged roads and the need of repair.

“This is a great day for the residents of the Gil Baza subdivision,” said Governor Calvo. “I remember coming here as a senator, seeing the unpaved roads, the potholes and puddles, and knowing that every day school children had to walk through here in the heat or in the rain.”

Former Senator Telo Taitague originally introduced the legislation in the 30th Guam Legislature. Her bill, now P.L. 30-217, appropriated $800,000 toward the reconstruction of the road into the Gil Baza Subdivision.

DPW Director Joanne Brown stated confidently that her crew of 16 in the highway construction division were able to finish the project well under budget.

With the help of the contractor, Nippo Corporation, DPW was able to complete the project earlier this month. The work included clearing the vegetation surrounding the road, excavating the area, and paving the road.

“I commend the hard working men and women of DPW,” said Governor Calvo. “This is the first time they’ve constructed their first road in-house in 10 years, and they did so by only using half their budget.”