CPA Executive Director Edward M. Deleon Guerrero told Variety, “This project is to be funded by the Federal Aviation Administration. Design work has been completed but the actual construction cost has yet to be approved due to the ongoing phased projects on Saipan.”
The ports authority earlier reported the planned relocation of the firefighting facility on Tinian to a location with a flight service station on the top floor to ensure that it complies with FAA’s required response time.
It also called for the construction of an access road which is part of the Airport Improvement Program listing with funding anticipated from the Federal Aviation Administration.
“CPA is, however, looking into avenues to improve the water system consisting of a new line and tank at the airport due to the increasing leakage resulting in extravagant water bills,” Deleon Guerrero said.
He told Variety that CPA will be seeking a partial grant for the replacement of the water system once preliminary engineering work is complete.
Variety learned that based on a 2010 estimate, the relocation of the firefighting facility on Tinian would cost about $8 million.
In other news, CPA has received three bids from contractors for the Tinian International Airport’s terminal improvements phase I project.
Deleon Guerrero said, “Bids were received on Nov. 23, 2011 with three contractors submitting bids.”
He told Variety that the said bids are currently under review by the construction manager appointed by the CIP Office who will issue a recommendation for award.
Deleon Guerrero also said that once recommendation is submitted and approved by both CPA and CIP office, the project will be awarded and the notice to proceed will be issued.
Phase I of the improvements project at the terminal called for renovations to the existing terminal and some minor work to the new terminal.
Phase II of the project will include retrofitting work for the structure and completion of the new departure terminal to make the building ready for operations.
The terminal improvements project is funded by 702/CIP funds.
Variety learned that the 2010 estimate for the project was about $2.2 million.
On Rota, the runway shoulders paving project at the island’s international airport is “substantially complete pending submission of the final closeout documents from the contractor,” according to the CPA executive director.
He said once all the requirements are met, the project will be accepted and officially closed out.
CPA works closely with the FAA in connection with airport improvements projects for Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
Throughout the years, the FAA has provided funding for airport projects ranging from new runways and procurement of airport fire trucks.
