FHwA funds new culverts for Atuu/Leloaloa
under Emergency Recovery Program

July 15, 2007 - Three years after Tropical Cyclone Heta brought flooding and caused devastating damage all across the territory, repair work under the Emergency Recovery (ER) program are now underway and nearing completion.

Funding for the ER projects is available from the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA).

Contractors McConnell Dowell have taken the first step by installing new culverts in Atu’u and Leloaloa, in areas that routinely flood and are problematic during heavy rainfalls.

The first culvert is located next to the TSK grocery store in Leloaloa, in the area next to the store’s main entrance where an inland stream flows towards the ocean.

The other culvert has been constructed on the road leading up to the former Marist Brothers School in Atu’u, an area that has seen its fair share of flooding every time rainfalls pour.

The new culverts are in place to assist with drainage purposes.

Two other projects that are funded through the ER program and awarded to Duke Purcell and Island Builders are the Poloa village road that leads from the village to the school, and the guard rail located on the steep pass between Pago Pago and Fagasa.

Public Works director Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei says he is hopeful that the Fagasa guard rail project will commence shortly, pending the availability of materials expected to arrive as early as next week.

Here's a look at the new culvert located at the entrance leading up to the former Marist Brothers School in Atu'u. The culvert was constructed by McConnell Dowell and funded by the Federal Highway Administration for the Emergency Recovery (ER) program.	To assist with drainage problems, a new culvert has been constructed next to TSK grocery store in Leloaloa under the Emergency Recovery program funded by the Federal Highway Administration. ER projects target areas that were damaged during Tropical Cyclone Heta.