Dec. 7, 2007
Q: I’ve been working on Yokosuka base for a few years and although the base has really improved a lot over the years, I have noticed that the main roads around the base are in terrible condition. When I drive around in my new car it feels like I’m riding a bull at the rodeo because I’m constantly bouncing up and down or I find myself driving in the middle of the road to avoid the bigger uneven areas. Is there something you or Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East (NAVFAC) can put in place to ensure that after the road construction is finished in a certain area that a quality control person can inspect the newly patched roadway to ensure it is even with the rest of the road and that it will stay even months or years later down the line? Thank you.

質問：基地に勤務して数年になりますが、その間に施設面では大幅に改善されました。ところが基地内の道路と言えば酷い状態の場所が多いように思います。基地内を新車で運転すると、絶えず上下に揺れ動くので自分がロデオにでも出ているかのような気になるばかりか、大きなでこぼこ道を避けて道路の中央を走っていることもあります。道路補修が施された際、基地司令部もしくは極東海軍施設技術部隊の方で何らかの状態確認検査や耐久性の検査等行っているのでしょうか。

A: Thank you for your concern for the condition of our base roads. As you may know, the base is undergoing major facility and utility upgrades as we prepare for the arrival of the new Yokosuka-based carrier. These projects have resulted in many of our base roads being cut to accommodate required communication and utility upgrades. Government quality assurance personnel are on staff to ensure the contractors repair the trenches in accordance with recognized construction practices and standards. However, these patches eventually start to depress under the heavy vehicle traffic we see on the base, which leads to the conditions that you are experiencing. The Public Works Department has an organized plan to repave many of our damaged roads starting this fiscal year. Thanks for your patience as we continue to improve our base infrastructure to make this the best place in the world to live and work.

回答：基地内の道路について関心をお寄せいただき、誠にありがとうございます。ご存知のように、横須賀基地は時期空母の寄港に備え多くの施設で改修工事が進んでおり、その結果基地内の主要道路で工事が行われている状況です。もちろん政府の品質検査担当者が業者による工事が水準を満たしているかを確認しておりますが、如何せん交通量の多さから再舗装部分もすぐに痛んでしまうのです。本会計年度から公共事業部が痛んだ道路の再舗装計画を進めておりますので、横須賀基地を世界で最も住みやすく、また働きやすくするための改善工事ですので、ご協力をお願い申し上げます