Tinian airport project excites CPA, FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration has commended the CNMI Ports Authority’s continued effort to improve airport facilities in the Northern Marianas, following an on-site visit of the construction site for the West Tinian International Airport.

FAA representatives and participants of the Airport Rescue Fire Fighting Conference, together with the Commonwealth Ports Authority, last week held an ocular inspection of the project which is on its initial phase of construction.

CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said despite existence of numerous airports in the Pacific Region and the construction of several others, FAA officials were excited over the improvements made at the West Tinian International Airport.

Contractors of the $16.9 million, 8,600 linear-foot runway are currently grading the pavement of the old Tinian Airport in preparation for the massive construction and installation of drainage system, guidance signage, taxiway and runway edge lighting, rotating beacon, beacon tower, approach and identifier lights, and other roadway works.

CPA earlier awarded the construction of the West Tinian Runway Project to Telesource Corporation after a bidding process participated in by six other construction companies.

CPA solicited two separate invitations for the project; one encompassed the construction of a 7,800 linear-foot asphalt concrete runway and the other was for an 8,600 linear-foot runway.

The ports authority has so far made about $17 million in total funds available for the West Tinian International Airport improvement project, almost half of which were sourced out of the FAA grants.

FAA has provided about $13.5 million in financing for the West Tinian International Airport expansion project, while the balance has been pledged by members of the Tinian Legislative Delegation through the island’s Capital Improvement Project funds.

Under the basic bid, the $17-million project would be for the construction of a new 7,600-foot runway, two 600 linear-foot taxiways, one 200 linear-foot partial taxiway; and the conversion of the existing 6,000 linear-foot runway to a parallel taxiway.

It will also include the construction of 2,296 linear-foot parallel taxiway connecting to Runway 26 and rerouting 4,400 linear-foot of 8th Avenue, which will form part of the proposed 7,600 linear-foot runway.

The new runway will be constructed parallel north of the existing runway which will be transformed into a taxiway.

The construction of a new runway is part of the original West Tinian International Airport rehabilitation plan.