Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula has issued a declaration to enhance public safety and address bridge maintenance issues across the territory. This action follows a notification from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that several bridges exhibit structural deficiencies requiring immediate corrective measures.

According to the governor, on March 23, 2026, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Hawaii Federal-Aid Division formally notified the American Samoa Department of Public Works (DPW) of multiple bridges in the territory that exhibited structural deficiencies requiring immediate corrective action to ensure public safety. This notification directed DPW to submit a Critical Finding Action Plan outlining the necessary steps and timelines to address and resolve these findings.

The Governor noted that a critical finding signifies a structural or safety-related deficiency that demands prompt intervention to safeguard public safety.

Out of thirty-one (31) bridges evaluated along the primary transportation corridors of Tutuila Island and the Manu'a Islands, thirteen (13) bridges were identified as needing corrective action based on their structural integrity and engineering evaluations.

Among these, four (4) bridges—Se'etapa Bridge (Bridge No. 020), Auto Bridge (Bridge No. 016), Leone (Pritchard's Bakery) Bridge (Bridge No. 025), and Masclau Bridge (Bridge No. 014)—were flagged as the highest priority for reconstruction. This prioritization was based on engineering assessments, public safety considerations, and available funding, given their significant structural deterioration and importance to the territory's transportation network.

Furthermore, a total of twenty-nine (29) bridges across the territory are currently subject to FHWA-directed load posting requirements as a precautionary measure. In addition, nine (9) bridges are subject to reduced (less time between) inspection intervals of one to twelve months, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and investment in the territory's bridge network.

He said that upon receiving the FHWA notification, ASG promptly initiated a coordinated response. DPW has completed technical reviews of all affected structures, developed load posting requirements and government fleet crossing restrictions, prepared scopes of work for bridge posting and traffic control measures, initiated required environmental and historic preservation reviews, and maintained ongoing coordination with FHWA regarding the planning, design, funding, and reconstruction of priority bridge projects.

These bridges are critical infrastructure for the community, aiding residents, emergency responders, commercial operators, and government fleets throughout the territory.

It is both the legal duty and the moral obligation of ASG to inform the public about these conditions, implement reasonable safety measures, and take all available and expedient steps to maintain the safe operation of these structures while advancing the reconstruction of priority bridge projects and seeking funding for additional bridge rehabilitation and replacement needs.

Accordingly, ASG acknowledges that implementing load restrictions, traffic controls, monitoring activities, and other protective measures is essential to preserve the structural integrity of the affected bridges, ensure public safety, and maintain continuous transportation services while permanent reconstruction solutions are actively pursued.