Guam Highway 1
Encyclopedia
Guam Highway 1, also known as Marine Corps Drive, is one of the primary automobile routes in the United States territory of Guam
. It runs in a southwest to northeast direction, from the main gate of Naval Base Guam in the western community of Santa Rita
in a general northeasterly direction to the main gate of Andersen Air Force Base
in the community of Yigo
. It passes through Guam's capital, Hagåtña
, as well as intersecting various other territorial highways.
. After passing through Piti, the road runs inland from the shoreline before turning slightly to the east, now paralleling the coast, where it passes through the community of Asan
. Soon, thereafter, the road cuts a path, due east, towards the Island's capital, Hagåtña
where it passes through the northern edge of the city.
After passing through the capital and the community of Mongmong, the road turns towards the northeast as it skirts to the west of Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport
on its way through the village of Tamuning
. After the airport, the route runs inland from the shoreline as it cuts across the southern edges of Dededo
and Yigo
villages before reaching its terminus at Salisbury Junction, the main entrance to Andersen Air Force Base
, where the road continues to the northwest as Guam Highway 9
.
Like most major highways on Guam, a 35 mph (56 km/h) speed limit is posted throughout most of its length. In the past, Route 1 was one of the few roads to post a 45 mph (72 km/h) limit on lengths of less-developed roadway. However, as more of the area became developed, certain sections of the roads were posted with lower limits. Travelers heading north away from the developed areas are allowed a 45 mph (72 km/h) speed limit. However, the southbound lanes on the same sections remain posted at 35 mi/h due to development on the western side of the road.
Named Marine Corps Drive throughout its length, it was known as simply Marine Drive until the road was rededicated by Governor Felix Perez Camacho
in 2004.
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. It runs in a southwest to northeast direction, from the main gate of Naval Base Guam in the western community of Santa Rita
Santa Rita, Guam
Santa Rita is a village located on the southwest coast of the United States territory of Guam with hills overlooking Apra Harbor. According to the 2000 census it has a population of 7,500, down from 11,857 in 1990....
in a general northeasterly direction to the main gate of Andersen Air Force Base
Andersen Air Force Base
Andersen Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Yigo in the United States territory of Guam....
in the community of Yigo
Yigo, Guam
Yigo is the northernmost village of the United States territory of Guam, and is the location of Andersen Air Force Base. The municipality of Yigo is larger than any other village on the island in terms of area....
. It passes through Guam's capital, Hagåtña
Hagåtña, Guam
Hagåtña , formerly English Agana and in Spanish Agaña, is the capital of the United States island territory of Guam. It is the island's second smallest village in both area and population. From the 18th through mid 20th century, it was Guam's population center...
, as well as intersecting various other territorial highways.
Route description
Guam Highway 1 begins near the entrance gate to Naval Base Guam, at a junction with Guam Highway 2A. Known as Marine Corps Drive, the route then travels to the northeast through the town of PitiPiti, Guam
Piti is a village located on the western shore of Guam. It contains the commercial port of Guam at Apra Harbor as well as several of the island’s largest power plants.- Education :Guam Public School System serves the island....
. After passing through Piti, the road runs inland from the shoreline before turning slightly to the east, now paralleling the coast, where it passes through the community of Asan
Asan, Guam
Asan is a village located on the western shore of the U.S. territory of Guam. The municipality of Asan-Maina combines Asan with Maina, a community in the hills to the east. It was a primary landing site for United States Marines during Guam's liberation from the Japanese in World War II. Asan...
. Soon, thereafter, the road cuts a path, due east, towards the Island's capital, Hagåtña
Hagåtña, Guam
Hagåtña , formerly English Agana and in Spanish Agaña, is the capital of the United States island territory of Guam. It is the island's second smallest village in both area and population. From the 18th through mid 20th century, it was Guam's population center...
where it passes through the northern edge of the city.
After passing through the capital and the community of Mongmong, the road turns towards the northeast as it skirts to the west of Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport
Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport
Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport , also known as Guam International Airport, is an airport located in Tamuning and Barrigada, three miles east of the capital city of Hagåtña in the U.S. territory of Guam. It is named for Antonio Borja Won Pat, the first delegate from Guam to the United...
on its way through the village of Tamuning
Tamuning, Guam
Tamuning, also known as Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon is a municipality or "village" located on the western shore of the island of Guam. The village of Tamuning can be viewed as the economic center of Guam, containing Tumon , Harmon Industrial Park, and commercial districts in other parts of the...
. After the airport, the route runs inland from the shoreline as it cuts across the southern edges of Dededo
Dededo, Guam
Dededo is the most populated village of the United States territory of Guam. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Dededo's population was just under 45,000 in 2010. The village is located on the coral plateau of Northern Guam.- Etymology :...
and Yigo
Yigo, Guam
Yigo is the northernmost village of the United States territory of Guam, and is the location of Andersen Air Force Base. The municipality of Yigo is larger than any other village on the island in terms of area....
villages before reaching its terminus at Salisbury Junction, the main entrance to Andersen Air Force Base
Andersen Air Force Base
Andersen Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Yigo in the United States territory of Guam....
, where the road continues to the northwest as Guam Highway 9
Guam Highway 9
Guam Highway 9 is one of the primary automobile highways in the United States territory of Guam.-Route description:This northern route is a relatively short connector between GH-3 and GH-1, skirting the southern reaches of Andersen Air Force Base...
.
Like most major highways on Guam, a 35 mph (56 km/h) speed limit is posted throughout most of its length. In the past, Route 1 was one of the few roads to post a 45 mph (72 km/h) limit on lengths of less-developed roadway. However, as more of the area became developed, certain sections of the roads were posted with lower limits. Travelers heading north away from the developed areas are allowed a 45 mph (72 km/h) speed limit. However, the southbound lanes on the same sections remain posted at 35 mi/h due to development on the western side of the road.
History
The United States Military began to develop and construct roads on the island in 1941. Some roads had existed prior to this, but improvements were beginning to take shape. Only one road, which encircled most of the island, had been graded. It was the primary route linking Agana (the name of the capital at the time) to Piti and Asan. This was the foundation for Marine Corps Drive.Named Marine Corps Drive throughout its length, it was known as simply Marine Drive until the road was rededicated by Governor Felix Perez Camacho
Felix Perez Camacho
Felix Perez Camacho is a former Governor of Guam and son of former Governor Carlos Camacho. He is a member of the United States Republican Party....
in 2004.