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Rota’s airport receives $750K to fix runway
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Posted on Sep 03 2020
Two months after receiving a grant to fix its fence, the Benjamin Taisacan Manglona International Airport on Rota was awarded a $750,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration last Sept. 1 to help the airport improve its runway.
According to a list that was provided by the FAA, Rota’s airport will be using this grant to rehabilitate their airport runway’s apron, where airplanes usually park and where passengers disembark.
This new grant award comes soon after the Commonwealth Ports Authority received a $2.1-million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation last July 3 to complete the Rota airport’s perimeter fence.
Rota was also exempted from austerity measures last March 2020, to ensure that CPA will proceed with the Benjamin T. Manglona International Airport’s plan for new international terminal facilities. CPA board Airport Facilities Committee chair Barrie C. Toves told Saipan Tribune last March 24 that there had been private investors who have shown an interest to build the international terminal building, along with its amenities that will facilitate their planned investment on Rota.
The Airport Improvement Program airport grant program funds airport infrastructure projects that includes runways, taxiways, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings.
The new grant awarded to Rota is part of the $1.2-billion airport safety and infrastructure grants that the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded to 405 airports in 50 states and six U.S. territories.
“This $1.2-billion federal investment will improve our nation’s airport infrastructure, enhance safety, and strengthen growth in local communities, which is especially important as the economy recovers from COVID-19,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
