Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Public Works has been awarded $19.3 million in Fiscal Year 2026 BUILD grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation, securing a major federal investment to rebuild and modernize the heavily traveled Route 001 corridor between Leone and Nu’uuli.

The BUILD program — Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development — provides competitive grants for transportation infrastructure projects that improve safety, mobility, economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and community connectivity.

It is a major federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) under the National Infrastructure Investments program. It is designed to support surface‑transportation projects with significant local or regional impact.

As a US territory, American Samoa is explicitly eligible for BUILD funding. The program’s focus on roads, bridges, stormwater resilience, and safety aligns closely with the Territory’s infrastructure needs — especially along major corridors like Route 001.

The grant, officially listed at $19,312,986, fully covers the project’s estimated cost and marks one of the most significant federal transportation awards American Samoa has received in recent years. According to DPW, the funding will support comprehensive roadway rehabilitation, drainage upgrades, traffic‑safety improvements, and structural enhancements along one of the Territory’s busiest commuter routes.

Route 001 serves thousands of daily commuters, connecting residential villages, schools, businesses, and government facilities across the Western District and central Tutuila. Years of heavy use, storm impacts, and aging infrastructure have contributed to deteriorating road conditions, prompting repeated calls for major reconstruction.

DPW officials say the BUILD grant will allow the Territory to address longstanding deficiencies and improve the corridor’s reliability for families, workers, students, and commercial traffic.

Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula welcomed the award, calling it “outstanding news for the people of American Samoa.”

“This is another important step forward in our Administration’s continued efforts to serve our people through meaningful investments in infrastructure,” the Governor said. “We are grateful for this federal award, which will strengthen one of our busiest transportation corridors, improve safety, and provide more reliable travel for the families, workers, students, businesses, and visitors who rely on Route 001 every day.”

DPW Director Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei emphasized both the significance of the award and the responsibility that comes with it.

“This $19.3 million award is a significant investment in American Samoa’s transportation infrastructure and the communities that depend on Route 001 every day,” Tilei said.

“I am grateful to our DPW team and our partners for their work and commitment in pursuing this opportunity. Securing the funding is an important achievement, but now comes the responsibility of delivering the project, maintaining accountability, and ensuring that every dollar is used for its intended purpose.”

The Director noted that the project will be managed with strict federal oversight and reporting requirements to ensure transparency and compliance throughout the construction process.

DPW credited the successful BUILD grant application to a coordinated effort led by the Director’s Office and the Civil/Highway Division. The team received technical guidance and support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT), and HDOT’s AECOM engineering team.

Officials say this partnership strengthened the Territory’s application by ensuring the project met federal standards for safety, design, and long‑term resilience.

With funding now secured, DPW is preparing for the next phase: final design, environmental compliance, procurement, and construction scheduling. Once completed, the Leone–Nu’uuli improvements are expected to reduce travel delays, improve stormwater management, enhance pedestrian and driver safety, and extend the lifespan of one of American Samoa’s most essential transportation links.

The newly secured federal funding will target one of the most deteriorated stretches of Route 001 — the section running from in front of Fa’asao Marist High School in Lepuapua to the Leone Post Office. This portion of the roadway has long been riddled with deep potholes and surface failures, creating daily hazards for motorists and pedestrians.

In recent years, the previous Lemanu and La’apui Administration constructed a new sidewalk along the corridor ahead of the 2024 territorial general election, improving pedestrian access and safety. However, no funding was allocated at the time to reseal or rehabilitate the adjacent roadway. As a result, heavy rains quickly worsened existing pavement damage, producing numerous potholes and eroding sections of the road shoulder where it meets the newly built sidewalk.

The contrast between the modern sidewalk and the failing roadway has become a visible reminder of the need for comprehensive reconstruction — a need that will finally be addressed with the FY2026 BUILD grant funds.

Concerns about the deteriorating roadway and sidewalk conditions were formally raised last year during the Senate confirmation hearing for DPW Director Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei. During the hearing, Leone Senator Olo Uluao Letuli highlighted the growing safety risks along the newly constructed sidewalk fronting Fa’asao Marist High School.

Senator Olo told his colleagues that heavy rains had begun eroding the edges of the sidewalk, undermining the structure and creating hazardous conditions for students walking to and from school, as well as for members of the public who rely on the pathway daily. He emphasized that the erosion was occurring because the adjacent roadway had not been resealed or rehabilitated, allowing stormwater to wash away the unprotected shoulder.

Olo further noted that Deputy Director Falava’i Ta’ase was personally familiar with the problem, as he drives through the affected area each day on his commute between DPW headquarters and his home in Nua and Se’etaga. The Senator said Ta’ase’s daily exposure to the worsening conditions underscored the urgency of addressing the issue before more serious damage or injuries occurred.

The concerns raised in that hearing have since become part of the broader justification for the newly awarded federal BUILD funding, which aims to stabilize, rebuild, and modernize the entire corridor.

The project represents a major milestone in the Territory’s broader infrastructure strategy — one aimed at modernizing critical public assets and improving daily life for residents across Tutuila.