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CPA gears up for busy 2005
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Posted on Jan 02 2005
The Commonwealth Ports Authority is bracing for a hectic year in 2005, with various projects lined up for the CNMI’s airports and seaports.
CPA executive director Carlos Salas said most of the improvements would be undertaken using federal funds, allaying fears that the projects might drain CPA’s coffers and again place its credit rating at risk.
Among CPA’s immediate plans is the privatization of parking facilities at the Saipan International airport and the Port of Saipan.
The ports authority is expected to award the contract for the construction of a new dry-docking facility at the Saipan seaport in early 2005. CPA is also finalizing financing plans for the renovation of the Saipan seaport container yard.
Repair work will continue on several areas of the Tinian and Rota seaports that were heavily damaged by Typhoons Tingting and Chaba in 2004.
Architects and engineers will also be requested to work on a modernization plan for the Saipan airport terminal building, while groundbreaking for a new terminal building at the Tinian airport is being slated for January.
The enclosure of the Saipan airport is scheduled to commence by February or March, when replacement of the Saipan airport roof is also expected to begin.
CPA is also preparing for the installation of the Multi-User System Environment, a new airport equipment that would allow common use of check-in counters and terminal gates.
Salas said CPA is planning to issue a request for proposals for the construction of a general aviation facility, which would include a small aircraft maintenance facility and a flight school in Rota.
Meantime, the expansion of the Rota airport runway will continue, he said.
