Dec 20 2007
The Republic of Palau, which consist of 586 islands, has just completed a 53-mile-long paved road on Babeldaob, the largest island in Palau. Babeldoab land mass is 138 square miles, which is 70 percent of Palau's whole area.
With the completion of the Compact Road, it provides easy access to Palau's International Airport, the new Capitol as well as the 10 states on the big island of Babeldaob. For many years, visitors often limited their movement within Koror as it was more developed. The road has opened new opportunities and will contribute tremendously to the efficiency of delivering goods and services; thus allowing visitors to explore Palau's unique natural beauty, experience the idyllic village life and learn the culture of the community in each state as travelers circum-navigate Babeldaob.
Additionally, it is hoped that the road, built under the U.S. Army Corps Engineer design and supervision, will change the island nation's future and foster Palau's economic development as well as tourism. Palauans who own land in Babeldaob, for example, will be able to commute from their homes rather than live in rented apartments to work in Koror. Moreover, Palauans living in villages on Babeldaob will now have access to the hospital, college, and other facilitates in Koror. Greater accessibility to Babeldaob will provide the room and the opportunity for Palau and its people.
Before the road was built it was almost an eight to 10-hour commute from north to south. "The new road will give Palauans a level of access to their own land that they've never before had," states Alex Morrison, the Honolulu District's resident engineer and administrative contracting officer for the project since its inception.
The road meets U.S. Department of Transportation standards and includes access to the new capital site at Melekeok. The road is 24-feet-wide, with an asphalt-concrete surface and shoulders.