Previous Story
FAA asks CPA for list of priority projects
|
Posted on Jan 25 2009
[B]BY MONETH G. DEPOSA[/B]
[I]moneth_deposa@saipantribune.com
REPORTER[/I]
REPORTER[/I]
The Commonwealth Ports Authority is optimistic the CNMI will be included in the economic stimulus plan being developed by the Obama administration following a site visit by Federal Aviation Administration officials last week.
CPA executive director Efrain Camacho disclosed that FAA officials were on a two-day visit to the island last week.
“They were here to tell us what may be ahead in terms of funding, with the proposed economic stimulus plan of the U.S. administration,” Camacho said.
He disclosed that FAA had asked CPA to identify and prepare a list of priority projects that could be funded by the economic stimulus plan.
Camacho described his meeting with federal officials as “very, very positive” but declined to provide more details.
He said the FAA officials had also visited Guam, Palau and Micronesian islands. Like the CNMI, a similar list of priority projects were asked of them.
Camacho said the CNMI will seek funding for the airport runway rehabilitation, which may cost $15 million to $25 million.
“This is a very critical project…and we will ask FAA to consider it in the economic stimulus plan,” he said.
Saipan Tribune learned that the existing runway needs a “quick” repair to ensure smooth operations at the airport.
Camacho said other CPA projects included on the “list” is the repair of the public address system for Saipan International Airport, which also need full rehabilitation, as well as the utility upgrades for the CNMI three airports on Saipan, Rota and Tinian.
In a report to the CPA board of directors, Camacho stated that FAA has been faithful in assisting the CNMI in providing funds for important projects.
Recently, repairs of the two main backup generator at the airport were completed using FAA funds. It also approved grants for the third backup generator and some other components that may reach $6.8 million in total cost.
“The FAA-funded project for one more 1.8 megawatt generator as well as three other generators for the [ARFF] armed rescue firefighter is underway with project completion dates of late 2009 or early 2010,” Camacho’s report stated.
