Tinian's 8th Ave. closes for new airport runway
The Commonwealth Ports Authority is confident construction of the new West Tinian International Airport runway will be completed within the scheduled 18 months, as contractors begin major infrastructure works in the area.
Ports Authority Board Chair Roman S. Palacios is upbeat the new air transport facility will open the floodgates to tourism and economic development on Tinian, as he expressed confidence that the island’s casino gaming initiative is sure to enjoy a huge market.
Mr. Palacios disclosed foreign airline companies, upbeat that Chinese tourists are now willing to travel outside Asia and that a tropical gaming destination is right on target, have already expressed interest to provide direct service to Tinian.
The contractor for the West Tinian International Airport runway project will close the existing 8th Avenue from April 1 until the end of July in order to build the new 3rd Avenue, CPA said.
Detour signs will clearly mark the temporary route to eliminate public confusion. The detour will allow access to the dumpsite on 8th Avenue from the San Jose side only. This might cause minimum inconvenience to local and tourist traffic in the airport area.
CPA, EFC Engineers & Architects, the construction managers and Telesource CNMI, Inc. have been working hand in hand during the past weeks with the Division of Environmental Quality to develop a Sediment and Erosion Control Plan.
With the approved plan in place, Telesource is moving ahead, according to a media statement from the ports authority.
CPA added that there is a massive amount of equipment on side and that more is on the way. Telesource will need the equipment in order to move the more than one million cubic yards of earthwork for the project.
The contractor will be working two shifts to complete the project on time.
The relocation of 8th Avenue away from the West End of the new runway is needed to provide a safety zone for the aircraft as well as the people on the ground.
CPA officials said the contractor remains committed to the original schedule, and with the continued concerted efforts of all involved in the construction, there should be no stumbling blocks.
CPA is also making sure that aircraft activities at the West Tinian International Airport will not be disrupted even when construction of the new runway is ongoing.
The air transport facility on the island will remain in operation from the time construction of the new 8,600-linear-foot runway begins up until it is completed within approximately 18 months, according to Mr. Salas.
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 yesterday signed a new law earmarking $6.5 million for the project.
CPA Board of Directors sealed the contract with Telesource CNMI, Inc., which is building 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.
Government officials and business leaders have projected significant growth of the island’s slumbering economy once the Tinian airport project is completed in at least 18 months.
