CPA breaks ground on new commuter terminal

Commonwealth Ports Authority officials, joined by CNMI stakeholders, break ground on the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport commuter terminal construction project. The project has been in the works for over four years after the previous one was devastated due to Super Typhoon Yutu. (KIMBERLY B. ESMORES)

After over four years, the Commonwealth Ports Authority has officially broken ground on the construction of a new commuter terminal at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport after the previous one was wrecked in the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yutu back in 2018.

The CNMI administration and community stakeholders joined CPA yesterday to break ground on the project, officially kickstarting the over $9.7-million construction work that is expected to be completed by May 2024.

According to CPA executive director Chris Tenorio, instead of renovating the existing 8,800-square-foot building, CPA decided instead to build a whole new commuter terminal that is expected to be about 10,000 square feet.

“In October 2018, Super Typhoon Yutu struck the CNMI, causing substantial damage to the islands of Tinian and Saipan. Unfortunately, this building fell victim to the storm’s rage, resulting in it being determined condemned. Although it was four years ago, delays due to insurance proceeds, the COVID-19 pandemic, and design changes extended the bidding of the project. CPA continued to work diligently to get the commuter replaced; and instead of renovating the existing 8,800-square-foot building, it was decided to replace it with a new one for our interisland traveling public, with over 10,000 square feet of interior space,” he said.

The new building will include updated amenities like an additional airline counter and office space for a total of four, a larger footprint for arrival and departure areas and a public access office for the U.S. Customs Border Protection. It will also have a food and beverage concession area and upgraded restrooms.

“We express our appreciation to the design team of GHID, the construction management team of Hofschneider Engineering, and the hardworking CPA folks that made this project a reality. CPA looks forward to working closely with Hong Ye Rental and Construction for the completion of this project in a timely manner,” he said.

According to CPA board chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds, the initial plan was to renovate the wrecked facility. However, later assessments found that the original structure has outlived its purpose and it’s finally time to build a new, modern commuter terminal.

“At first we were trying to decide whether or not we were going to renovate and repair what was damaged by Yutu. But when we were doing an assessment of the whole building, [it was determined that] it’s just old and it’s outlived its purpose, given basically the expanded footprint that we’re seeing in terms of interisland commuter travel. So it’s time that we build a new one. Now, not only will we be tearing this down and building a new one, we will also be building a covered walkway,” she said.

Commonwealth Ports Authority officials, joined by CNMI stakeholders, break ground on the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport commuter terminal construction project. The project has been in the works for over four years after the previous one was devastated due to Super Typhoon Yutu. (KIMBERLY B. ESMORES)

The project, King-Hinds noted, was initially quoted at around $3 million pre-pandemic, but has since gone up to nearly $10 million.

Fortunately, the project will be funded by insurance proceeds.

“This project was originally estimated at about $3 million. Now it’s increased up to almost $10 million. This is funded by insurance proceeds. So unlike other government agencies, when they get affected or impacted by storms, [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] steps in. We are actually required by our grant assurance to take out an insurance policy on all our facilities. That was a process in and of itself because there was some issues and concerns by our underwriters about being under-insured, given the fact that the facilities are really old,” she said.

Although the process to finally begin the project was arduous, King-Hinds said she is excited for what’s in store for the Saipan airport and the commuter terminal.

“We’re finally here and I’m excited. I know four years is a long time to wait, but given the circumstances, I think that we’re doing what we need to do to be where we’re at,” King-Hinds stated.