This, according to Department of Public Works Secretary Diego B. Songsong, is a “good sign” that the CNMI’s major development projects are moving ahead.
Developing the Puerto Rico landfill into a park is part of the $11.3 million project required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, while the over $20 million Cross-Island project is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s efforts in improving local highways .
Although both projects are 100 percent federally funded, they will not get assistance from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, or the federal stimulus law, Songsong said.
A good turnout for the pre-bid conference shows how promising the two projects are, despite the government’s financial challenges, he added.
This also shows that DPW has done its job well in informing the public about these projects, he said.
The deadline for written inquiries about the Puerto Rico dump project is June 18 while the bidding will be held on July 6.
The deadline for the submission of bids is June 26 and these will be opened on July 1. If there is off-island bidder the schedule will be moved to July 10.
Attracting many contractors for these projects, Songsong said, shows that the government still has the confidence of the local private sector.
