THE Commonwealth Ports Authority will soon begin its $4 million aircraft parking improvement project.
CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas yesterday said the apron conversion project will pave the way for the removal of asphalt and the construction of concrete parking area.
“It will start anytime. There’s already an order to proceed for that project,” Salas said in an interview.
He said a concrete parking area would mean “safer aircraft parking.”
It would also allow the aircraft to carry more weight without harming the pavement.
The project will be handled by Hawaiian Rock.
The funding is on top of the $6 million rehabilitation and repair project for Saipan International Airport’s runway.
The runway rehabilitation, according to Salas, may begin within three months.
“We’re still in the design work. It will soon be out for bidding. Hopefully, we’ll be ready in three months,” he said.
Salas said the runway project will not affect the air traffic.
“That’s our goal. There will be no flights affected or interrupted. That’s why our experts need to come up with a proper engineering design to realize that, and they’re doing that,” he said.
Although Saipan’s 25 year-old runway has no damage or defects, Salas said it would still be prudent to rehabilitate it.
Earlier, Federal Aviation Administration officials raised concerns about security and the safety of old facilities in various airports.
CPA said it was granted $6 million for airport structural improvement and purchase of necessary equipment including surveillance cameras.
