CPA has tagged 5 projects worth $128M for Rota’s West Harbor

To address the problem of high-priced items on Rota and stabilize its economy, the Commonwealth Ports Authority has identified five projects worth $13 million in all to fix and upgrade the Rota West Harbor, including installing a breakwater that will cost $115 million.

According to a CPA document called “Strategic Planning for CNMI Air and Seaports,” the people of Rota will continue to pay high prices for commodities so long as storeowners keep shipping in cargoes by airlines and passing the cost to the consumers.

CPA said it is imperative to install a breakwater built of concrete armor stones on the east side of the entrance channel of the Rota West Harbor to allow safe entry and to reduce wave agitation.

Without the breakwater, CPA said, Rota West Harbor is vulnerable to damage from the strong currents and high surfs entering the channel.

It is the only harbor on the island that can accommodate commercial vessels to bring in cargo from Guam, Saipan, and Tinian.

The four other projects are $5 million for the construction of a new Saipan seaport building, $5 million for the public marina expansion, $2 million for the expansion of Berth 2, and $1 million for the construction of a new commercial float.

During rough waters seasons, CPA said, the tug and barge have to postpone delivering cargo to Rota, leaving the community without commodities.

The project is seen to take five years; its funding source is pending.

On the seaport building project, CPA said a new building is needed to be built and relocated to the entrance road of the seaport, to allow easier access to customers needing CPA services.

The office spaces and restrooms are dilapidated and in need of renovation.

The current building is damaged and it has become very dangerous when waves come in from the water channel.

CPA said there have been numerous occasions when the waves are high and pass the retaining wall.

CPA disclosed that the flooring inside the warehouse shows that the building is sinking due to the strong rip current that is washing the boulders underneath.

CPA said the building itself is a safety hazard because it is situated near berth 2.

During high surf, CPA said, no one should be near the seaport as the waves are dangerous.

The seaport building project’s duration is four years and CPA is the funding source.

On the public marina expansion project, CPA underscored the need to accommodate more boats by private boat owners.

The island is known for its fiesta and fishing derbies, inviting people from Guam, Saipan, and Tinian to bring their boats to the island.

CPA said the floating slips need to be repaired as the majority of them are missing boards or are broken.

CPA said some of the damage are caused by recent storms and others are caused by commercial vessels’ misuse of the marina.

The expansion will also include a repair shop for boats, gift shop, restaurant, and restrooms and others.

The project duration is two years and its funding source is to be determined.

Regarding the expansion of Berth 2, CPA said it is needed to accommodate larger cargo vessels and for safer deployment of containers.

Berth 2 will be expanded 100 feet from the left and will include new bollards and fenders.

Currently, CPA said, when the barge arrives on Rota, it has to keep shifting back and forth for the crane to reach the containers at each end of the barge, which is not cost-effective for operations.

The project duration is two years and CPA is the funding source.

On the new commercial float project, CPA said it is necessary to accommodate the smaller vessels bringing in cargo for the people of the island.

Currently, CPA said, the smaller vessels cannot discharge cargo at the West Harbor as the loading docks are very high for the small vessels.

CPA said a new commercial float is necessary for smaller vessels to load and unload cargoes.

The project duration is two years and its funding source is CPA.

CPA executive director Christopher S. Tenorio said the Strategic Planning outlines what the staff and management have identified as priorities that CPA will pursue over the next four years.