FAA sends go signal for Tinian airport project

The Federal Aviation Administration has signaled the green light for the construction of the new West Tinian International Airport runway after a thorough review of documents submitted by the Commonwealth Ports Authority and the project contractor.

FAA-Western Pacific Region Airports District Office acting manager Daniel S. Matsumoto has advised CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas that the ports authority may now issue a Notice to Proceed to the contractor.

The issuance of Notice To Proceed was approved by the FAA following its review of all documents relating to the physical construction and financing of the multi-million dollar runway project on Tinian.

FAA is also asking CPA to provide the agency with a copy of the official Notice to Proceed which should indicate starting and completion dates for the airport runway project.

“We require a weekly statement from sponsors to the effect that the contractor’s certified payrolls have been received and reviewed and appears satisfactory,” Mr. Matsumoto told CPA officials in a letter sent last week.

He added the statement must include the dates of the applicable payroll period, which may be included on the weekly construction progress inspection report that should be prepared and submitted promptly to keep both FAA and CPA abreast of the project.

CPA has assured that activities at the West Tinian International Airport will not be disrupted even when construction of the new runway begins up until it is completed within approximately 18 months.

CPA managed to solicit close to $23 million for the West Tinian International Airport project, which paved the road for the construction of a new, longer runway for the island’s air transport facility.

Of the amount, close to $13 million were FAA allocations while the Tinian Legislative Delegation appropriated $3.4 million. Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio earlier this month signed a new law earmarking $6.5 million for the project.

CPA Board of Directors late last month sealed the contract with Telesource CNMI, Inc., which will build the new Tinian airport runway after submitting the lowest bid for the 8,600-linear-foot runway at $16.9 million.

The project will be carried out according to the specifications stated under the Alternative Bid which calls for the construction of an 8,600-linear-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.