Airports in Micronesian region to receive FAA grants

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Sept. 7 CHamoru Standard Time the fifth and latest round of Airport Improvement grants for airports in Micronesia, and the U.S. states.

The total amount of the grants for Micronesia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and U.S. states– which are awarded under a competitive process according to the FAA – is $1.9 billion.

The A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam. Journal file photo.

The grants are as follows:
• A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam: $10.6 million to rehabilitate the apron
• Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport: $7.64 million to construct/expand Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Building
• Benjamin Taisacan International Airport Rota: $3.19 million to rehabilitate the apron
• Amata Kabua International Airport Majuro: $18 million to rehabilitate the runway
• Pohnpei International Airport: $2.59 million to conduct a state/regional system study

In related news, Palau will receive a grant from Japan for replacement of the Minato Bridge. The “concrete part of the Minato Bridge connecting Koror and Malakal Islands has been degraded over time with risk of collapse of the bridge which is causing concerns of severing land transportation and lifelines,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The grant is up to $20 million.

“The purpose of this cooperation is to strengthen the bridge and ensure smooth traffic to contribute to the stabilization of transportation capacity by replacing the Minato Bridge connecting Koror Island, the economic center and population center of the country, and Malakal Island where the only commercial port and power plant in Palau is located,” the ministry said in a release.

In the Leaders Declaration and the Joint Action Plan I between the two countries issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting held on July 18, Japan announced Resources and Economic Development and Technology and Connectivity as one of the priority areas of cooperation, and this project will help to realize the plan, the ministry said.

Notes of agreement were signed in Palau on Aug. 19.

The port of Malakal will also receive upgrades through a U.S. Department of Defense award, according to Journal files. mbj

US Federal Motor Carrier ruling on Commercial Driver’s Licenses could affect COFA citizens

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced that “Only those in lawful immigration status (who provide “evidence of lawful immigration status” as defined in 49 CFR § 383.5) in the United States in one of the following employment-based nonimmigrant statuses will be permitted to obtain a non-domiciled Commercial Learner's Permit or a Commercial Driver’s License.

Shared Prosperity: Government officials, businesses talk investment in the Pacific

HONOLULU, Hawaii — More than 170 representatives from Pacific Island nations, the U.S. government, and the private sector convened at the inaugural Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit held at the Imin International Conference Center at Jefferson Hall in the University of Hawaii Manoa campus from Feb. 23 to Feb. 24.

Airports in Micronesian region to receive FAA grants