CPA bares on $170-M airport improvements

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is embarking on a $170 million aviation facilities upgrade on all three island terminals, envisioned to stimulate the growth of CNMI’s lagging tourism industry.

Covering air transportation points on Saipan, Rota and Tinian, CPA through its 2001 to 2006 Airports Development Plan, laid out a blueprint of improvement projects targeted for completion within five years.

CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas yesterday described the agency’s five-year agenda as an “optimistic” plan that is anticipated to spur visitors traffic to the Commonwealth.

“This plan really triggers for the expansion of terminals on all three islands,” said Mr. Salas, who delivered a summary of the airport development plan in front of Pacific aviation directors and guests at the Hyatt Regency Saipan yesterday.

While expressing optimism of the agency’s progressive efforts, Mr. Salas admitted that funding the series of enhancement projects is going to be a challenge for the ports authority.

“But we will continue to explore FAA’s assistance and other types of financing arrangements if possible, and continue to exhaust our local capital improvement project funds, with aid from legislative delegations and the governor. These efforts will be essential to the growth of the CNMI tourism industry,” he assured.

For Saipan International Airport, CPA has begun construction work for the automated security system (phase II), corridor extension and two new gates, asphalt concrete replacement (phase II), and the parallel taxiway.

Future projects for the Saipan terminal include the Air Rescue and Fire Fighting training facility, the 8,700 feet runway rehabilitation, replacement of the perimeter fence, new fire truck, commuter apron expansion, water system upgrade, public address system and fire alarm upgrade, arrival building expansion, new departure building, rerouting traffic circulation, new commuter terminal, new commuter apron, cargo/maintenance apron and taxiway and others.

Work lined up for the West Tinian Airport are the existing apron expansion, weather station and ports police facilities, perimeter fence extension, connecting end taxiway, conversion of existing runway to parallel taxiway, new aircraft apron, installation of non-directional beacon, new terminal facility, and new terminal access road.

The Rota International Airport is also seen to undergo several facelifts to include existing runway rehabilitation, replacement of navigational aids, extension of perimeter, runway extension (phase I), parallel taxiway, runway 9/27 extension (phase II), runway blast pads, new terminal building, and others. (MM)