FAA agrees to provide millions for Airport Rehabilitation Project

Nearly five years after the Nov. 1, 2002 project application was submitted, the US Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration has offered and agreed to pay, as the United States’ share, one-hundred percent of the first $2 million of allowable costs and ninety-five percent of all allowable project costs over $2 million incurred in accomplishing the Runway 08/26 - Phase II Rehabilitation Project at the Pago Pago International Airport.

This was announced through a grant agreement dated June 22, 2007 and signed by the manager of the Honolulu Airports District Office Ronnie V. Simpson.

The acceptance agreement was signed by both Governor Togiola Tulafono and Attorney General Fepulea’i Arthur Ripley on behalf of the American Samoa Government. The agreement basically states that the ASG will accomplish the project in compliance with the terms and conditions already set forth and agreed to.

According to the grant agreement, the maximum obligation of the United States payable under the offer is $4.6 million for airport development. This does not include any money for noise program implementation, land, and planning.

The said project is being carried out by McConnell Dowell and Fulton Hogan, at a price tag of $6,418,910.97

Besides the runway rehabilitation project, the FAA has also approved funding to set up two jet bridges at the airport.

The jet bridges, which will be constructed during the apron rehabilitation project set to begin at the end of this year, will be designed to accommodate a future, more modern, airport terminal.

Other completed, ongoing, and proposed airport projects include the taxiway alpha rehabilitation project, the Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) rapid response road, and the Hot Fire Training Facility.