Embedded Files
03/07/25 - The Department of Public Works has given USA Fanter Corp., Ltd. 30 days to repair a portion of Middle Road near HANMI Hardware. The stretch of the highway has been a major bottleneck for commuters as the excavation in the area has reduced the two-way northbound road to a single roadway.
DPW last January advised USA Fanter to coordinate with geotechnical firm to conduct 20-inch depth coring to seek answers to why the road pavement had settled. However, there has been no action taken by USA Fanter for more than a month, necessitating DPW to hire Geotesting, Inc. to conduct proof drilling of the newly paved roadway at the intersection of Kopa Di Oru and Chalan Pale Arnold on Feb. 3-4, 2025.
DPW Secretary Ray Yumul said the purpose of the proof drilling was twofold—to understand why the roadway had settled and second, to determine if other areas of the newly constructed roadway will exhibit settling. This is in connection with the observation of the excavated area having no subbase course.
“The above proof drilling has determined that USA Fan Fanter failed to follow the road work as was originally designed and contracted to do and the government is therefore notifying USA Fanter of non-compliance during the contract performance. USA Fanter is contractually responsible to correct the noted non-compliance by reconstruction of the identified area on the drawing.”
In a Feb. 25 letter to USA Fanter president Guo Cao "Steve" Qian, Yumul said reconstruction should be done in strict compliance with the project drawing and specification and includes following procedures:
Affected area for repair shall be on the north bound from station 127+50 to station 129+50 and station 134+60 to 140+00; south bound from station 133+70 to station 140÷00.
Remove the existing asphalt pavement and dispose.
Excavate down to 20 inches deep from the top of existing asphalt.
Grade and compact subgrade to 95% density.
Lay and compact subbase course at 8-inch compacted thickness to 95% density.
Lay and compact base course at 8-inch compacted thickness to 95% density.
Asphalt pavement 3-inch thick and 1-inch thick dense graded anti-skid asphalt.
Yumul further said the result of this non-compliance work has endangered the safety of the public and must be repaired in the earliest time.
“DPW hereby demands USA Fanter to urgently act to complete this repair work under contract warranty. DPW further demands that USA Fanter proceed with the repair within 24 hours upon receipt of this letter and shall be complete all work within 30 days.”
The DPW secretary added that currently, the road condition is a threat to motorists and the public.
“Failure to comply will result in a breach of contract. Should there be no action on the part of USA Fanter within the timeframe as stated above, DPW will have no other recourse but to notify and seek recourse through the bonding company of record currently identified as DB Insurance Company Limited. DPW requires USA Fanter's full cooperation in this matter.”
-----
Story by Mark Rabago
Report abuse