Funding for Tinian airport identified

Everything has been set for the much-delayed rehabilitation of the West Tinian International Airport runway except for the technical aspects of the construction which is now under review by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Ports Authority officials said necessary funds for the rehabilitation of the Tinian air transport facility have already been identified. The entire project was estimated to cost $20 million.

FAA has granted close to $10 million in total funding for the construction of the new Tinian airport runway while the CNMI government allocated nearly $10 million in Capital Improvement Project funds for the Tinian air transport facility under the provision of Public Law 11-79.

In July 1999, FAA pitched in additional $3.512 million for the West Tinian International Airport improvement project which marked its fourth grant for the undertaking since September 1998.

The July 1999 grant, brought to $9.387 million the total funds allocated by the aviation administration for the construction of new runway and improvement of the Tinian international airport terminal.

The $20 million project cost include the construction of a new 7,600-foot runway, some apron works and the relocation of the existing 8th Avenue which will form part of the proposed runway.

The new runway will be constructed parallel north of the existing runway which will be transformed into a taxiway. It was a part of the original West Tinian International Airport rehabilitation plan.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority previously changed the plan by proposing to instead extend the existing runway which FAA opposed. CPA is now sticking with the original improvement plan but will construct a 7,600-foot runway instead of the first proposal to build 8,600-foot runway.

A longer runway would require bigger funding although the ports authority is not ruling out the possibility of extending the proposed 7,600-foot runway when the money becomes available.

At present, the Commonwealth Ports Authority is awaiting final word from the FAA on its review of environmental studies and building requirements before actual construction can begin.

The aviation administration is still reviewing the entire design work with a maximum review period of at least four weeks.

The entire project is contingent upon obtaining the approval of both the Honolulu and the Los Angeles offices before proceeding on any invitation for bids activities.