Airport’s temporary runway project needs $1M

The ongoing conversion of the parallel taxiway at the Saipan International Airport is progressing but with some difficulties, according to Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Efrain S. Camacho.

The project, which is being funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, needs some $1 million more to finish the undertaking.

“The latest is that there could be a project increase of close to $1 million due to a discrepancy in the quantity take off to the quantity to be paved,” Camacho reported to the board of directors on Thursday. “The conversion project is ongoing…but with difficulties now.”

Camacho said that CPA has already informed the FAA of the increased cost. The federal agency is currently evaluating the proposal.

The conversion of the taxiway is needed to give airplanes a temporary runway until the existing runway is fully rehabilitated.

Camacho disclosed that early this month, CPA had submitted to FAA a list of projects for possible funding under the economic stimulus plan of President Obama, who signed the measure last week.

“One project that is sure to be funded is the Saipan International Airport runway rehabilitation. This is estimated at $15 million to $20 million,” Camacho told the board.

He added that the 1.8 megawatts generator project was also included on the list submitted to FAA. “This project is ongoing while the runway rehabilitation is ready for bid,” he added.

Besides the two fully repaired main backup generators at the airport, CPA is working on a third generator, which will cost up to $6.8 million, including installation, equipment, and the expansions of other project components.

Other projects on the list are the high speed taxiway on Tinian and the Armed Rescue Firefighter building expansion.

“The plan is to use the economic stimulus funding to fund the big ticket projects that normally cannot be taken cared of by AIPs, or allocation for international ports,” Camacho said, adding that the AIPs could be saved this way to address smaller but just as important projects.

Camacho conceded, though, that if CPA is required to match any federal funding, then CPA’s participation may be limited to what it can support.

The chief executive officer said the management is currently working on re-establishing communication with the Department of Interior to obtain funding for maintenance purposes, even if a 50 percent matching is required.

“This would be better than what it is now, with either 100 percent [matching] by CPA or nothing at all,” Camacho said.

Camacho disclosed that CPA has received FAA’s go signal for its public address system upgrade, utility enhancement and renovation works at both the international and commuter terminal buildings of the Saipan airport.

“The PAS is an item that has been discussed for at least 15 years now. It will finally be done,” Camacho said, adding that other improvements include renovating all the restrooms, addressing the flooding at the immigration and ground floor of the west corridor, additional water motor pump and renovation to the commuter terminal building.

In addition, a grant application has been submitted to FAA for renovation and upgrading of the ARFF burn pit training facility at the airport, he said.