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DPL board clears way for Tinian airport expansion
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Posted on Sep 13 1999
The Division of Public Lands has approved a conditional conveyance of certain U.S. military land to the Commonwealth Ports Authority for the planned expansion of West Tinian Airport.
According to CPA, more than 5.2 million square meters of land to given to CPA will include areas on which the existing West Tinian Airport terminal and runway are now situated and the additional land needed for the new runway project.
The ports authority had requested from DPL the conveyance of land as it anticipates the return of a certain parcel of land to the CNMI for the U.S. military. In return, CPA has agreed to grant the use of the airport and landing rights to the U.S. military.
CPA is finalizing the bid documents for the new runway project on Tinian. An invitation for bids to contractors and financiers will be published in December 1999 for the construction of the new runway which is about 7,800 linear feet, crossover taxiways and the relocation of 8th Avenue.
The actual conveyance of the land will not occur until after the U.S. military and the CNMI government execute the release of the leasehold interest on certain leaseback land on the island-municipality of Tinian. BPL board chairman Manny P. Villagomez said the signing ceremony has been tentatively scheduled on Sept. 17, 1999.
The Federal Aviation Administration has granted a total of $9.3 million in assistance for the construction of a new runway on Tinian.
CPA executive director Carlos H, Salas said this brings to $12.8 million the total amount of money now available for the project. Construction is expected to be completed in approximately 24 months. He said additional funds may become available soon to complete the entire project.
CPA management and consultants are now developing a draft bid documents for the project which may be released before the end of the year.
FAA has approved the construction of a new runway which will only be 7,800 ft. in length to cut down on cost. The length of the runway will still allow wide-body aircraft to land except a B747. The original plan was to build an 8,600 ft runway to accommodate a B747 on Tinian. (LFR)
