Previous Story
CPA moves to modernize arrival terminal
|
Posted on Aug 12 2005
Having just entered into a contract for the enclosure and air-conditioning of the Saipan International Airport’s departure area, the Commonwealth Ports Authority is now preparing to move on to modernizing the arrival terminal.
CPA is in the process of hiring a consulting firm to provide planning and design services for the terminal modernization project.
CPA executive director Carlos Salas said the project would concentrate on the arrival section of the Saipan airport. It will include replacing old water lines, redirecting traffic flow, relocating the car rental facilities, installing a flight information display system, and upgrading the public announcement and fire alarm systems.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration will provide funding for the project, which is expected to cost $15 million, Salas said.
CPA noted that a master plan for the airport was updated in 2002, identifying a phased approach for developing passenger terminal facilities that involved construction of new facilities, demolition of existing facilities, and expansion of new facilities over time.
The ports authority said it wishes to implement the passenger terminal concept contained in the master plan update. However, further planning and design are required to refine the concept, identify construction costs, and address phasing issues.
“Design services will include preliminary and detailed design of the passenger terminal including detailed design documents and specifications, civil works, and utilities. The project will require extensive coordination with the various stakeholders including CPA, FAA, Transportation Security Administration, airlines, passenger terminal tenants and rental car companies,” CPA said.
Last week, CPA signed a $14.3-million with Boeing for the much-delayed enclosure and air-conditioning of the Saipan International Airport departure terminal.
Boeing is expected to receive notice to start construction sometime around Aug. 22, 2005. The groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 2, 2005. This comes eight months after the initial date set for the start of construction. The delay results from funding problem that CPA encountered over the past months.
