FAA OKs plan for Rota runway repair

The Federal Aviation Administration has given the go-signal for the long-anticipated improvement of the Rota International Airport runway after approving the plans and specifications for the project, according to Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Carlos H. Salas.

FAA’s approval is expected to hasten the repair and improvement of the island’s air transport facility, a project that has been aggressively pushed by Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona who had brought his concerns to the attention of the United States Congress and the federal transportation department.

In an August 21, 2000 letter, Mr. Salas said the CNMI ports authority is looking forward to receiving official notification from the FAA, announcing that it has indeed approved the plans and specifications submitted for the Rota airport project.

“I am happy to report that according to all indications received during my most recent visit with FAA officials in Honolulu, the plans and specifications for the Rota Airport Runway Improvement Project have been approved,” he told Mr. Manglona.

At the same time, Mr. Salas disclosed that the Divisions of Public Works and of Procurement and Supply have also approved the hiring of private firm Winzler & Kelly as the project’s Construction Manager.

“With these most recent hurdles cleared, we expect to issue an invitation to bid on September 1, 2000 with a tentative bid opening date set for October 6, 2000,” the CPA official added.

The project, which has been previously stalled due to lack of funding, was aimed at improving the skid resistance of the Rota International Airport runway.

Current efforts are focused at improving the skid resistance of the island’s air transport facility runway in order to make it less slippery especially during the rainy season.
The runway rehabilitation project costs about $3.3 million.

FAA previously disclosed no funds are yet made available to facilitate major infrastructure projects in CNMI air transport facilities which may take improvement of the Rota International Airport longer.

FAA Airports District Office Acting Manager Daniel S. Matsumoto earlier said there is not enough funds available under the Airport Improvement Program to finance the island’s request for runway surface treatment.

He was responding to a letter by Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona asking immediate FAA assistance for the improvement and rehabilitation of the island’s international airport runway and facilities.

The mayor emphasized that prospects are bright for the island’s economic program which is not expected to take off unless Rota’s air transportation woes, including absence of sufficient infrastructure, are addressed.

He added a jet service to and from the island would only become possible if and when airport runway and terminal facilities are rehabilitated and improved, thereby, securing the safety of incoming and outgoing passengers.

However, an undertaking like improvement of the Rota air transport facilities is not likely to happen overnight since CPA would have to do an environmental assessment in order to avoid altering historical sites or animal habitat.