In an email to Variety, CPA Executive Director Edward M. Deleon Guerrero informed Variety of the status updates for ongoing federally funded projects, including the runway rehabilitation project.
Deleon Guerrero told Variety, “CPA is now awaiting FAA’s recommendation of the repairs which will most likely extend the project past February completion date.”
The CPA executive director said the runway rehabilitation project was anticipated to be completed by February 2012.
“However, a recent report was provided to Federal Aviation Administration addressing issues with the depth of the cracks on the runway and recommendations for corrective action,” he said.
He also said that until a decision is made on the repair work, “there is no estimated completion date thus far.”
As for the restroom renovations at the Saipan airport, Deleon Guerrero said CPA cancelled the original bids and has processed an amendment for additional design work to include drainage issues and improvements to an additional restroom which will be added into the plans and specifications.
He told Variety that the additional design work has been forwarded to FAA for review and approval before advertising commences.
Funding on hold
Deleon Guerrero confirmed to Variety that funding to update the master plans for airports on Saipan, Tinian and Rota, purchase of four Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicles and sweeper for the Saipan airport are on hold.
“CPA requested funding for updating of the Airport Master Plans for the Saipan, Tinian and Rota airports,” he said.
He added that funding has yet to be provided due to priority given to other ongoing projects such as the runway rehabilitation project and the improvements to the ARFF facility on Saipan.
With regard to ARFF facility, Deleon Guerrero said, “Notices to proceed for Phases I and II have been issued to the contractor which includes design work and manufacturing of the new aircraft rescue fire fighting mockup aircraft.”
He also said that these are being closely coordinated with construction management and the contractor before actual construction on the site commences.
“Notice to Proceed for the final Phase III is anticipated early 2012,” he said.
The Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting facility on Saipan touts one of the Pacific region’s finest emergency response training programs in the world.
The Pacific Region ARFF Training Center at the Saipan airport was created to train all airport firefighters throughout the Micronesian region: Guam, CNMI, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Since it opened, the facility has trained more than 150 fire fighting personnel annually.
