Port admin details proposals for airport and inter-island transport projects

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Renovation and upgrade of the terminal building at Pago Pago International Airport as well as the purchase of a landing craft unit (LCU) to improve inter-island transportation for the territory, are two of the three projects that the Port Administration Department (DPA) has proposed for funding with the more than $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 funds.

According to the proposal, estimated cost for the Airport Reconstruction project is $16 million while the inter-island transportation improvement including the purchase of a landing craft is $6.5 million.  The third project, the new seaport building at the Port of Pago Pago, is $20 million. (See yesterday’s Samoa News edition for details of the seaport building project).

Port Administration director Christopher King has submitted the proposed projects to the ASG’s ARPA Oversight Office, and also made available for public review the 34-page document which lists the three projects for which public comments are accepted from Nov. 3rd to Dec. 3rd.

Community engagement — through four public hearings — has been scheduled to get public feed back as required by the grantor, the US Treasury Department. DPA has scheduled two meetings for the west-side, on Nov. 9th and Nov. 16th at the Airport Conference room starting at 9a.m. and for the east-side, on Nov. 10th and Nov. 19th at the Seaport Conference room at the Pago Plaza. (See DPA notice published in Samoa News yesterday and today for more details).

AIRPORT RECONSTRUCTION

DPA said the current airport layout is outdated and does not support the airport security, immigration, customs, quarantine, health screening and safety requirements that have been implemented since the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Project description calls for the design and construction of the Airport Terminal Building, including reconstruction of the Arrivals and Departures areas and their required operations, facilities and offices — to ensure adequate space for operations and social distancing.

The proposal also calls for construction of a Jet Bridge; reconstruction of the baggage handing areas to tie into the Arrivals and Departures Areas; reconstruction of the Check In Areas including TSA Screening and Baggage flow, to allow for social distancing practices; and relocating the Fale Samoa away from  regular airport operations to allow better access and use for cultural purposes — such as receiving the remains of loved ones from off island.

DPA said the project will include implementing sustainable design strategies and energy-efficient equipment to make the airport as green as operations allow. The reconstruction will look at the possibility of maintaining the existing airport structural footprint, and investigate if existing foundations can be reused. It will incorporate ‘future-proofing concepts’ to the structure, to allow for easy expansion in the future if needed.

The construction stage will be phased to allow airport operations to continue with minimal disruptions during construction.

Of the total project costs, $15 million is budgeted for construction alone.

INTER-ISLAND TRANSPORTATION

DPA said this project is for the acquisition of a new Landing Craft Unit (LCU), to transport passengers and cargo between the islands of American Samoa.

It says that ASG currently only owns one vessel, the MV Manuatele to operate between the islands. With only one vessel in operation, this makes the transportation of people and cargo to the islands unreliable, as there is no alternative when the MV Manuatele is due for maintenance or repairs.

The acquisition of a new LCU — which would be a new purchase — would allow reliable and regular transportation between the islands, according to the proposal which points out that the lack of reliable transportation negatively impacts businesses in Manu’a by making it more difficult to serve these islands with supplies, personnel, and tourists.

“Threats to transportation exacerbate existing disparities in economic outcomes for Manu’a residents,” the proposal and noted that the most recent Statistical Yearbook published by the ASG Department of Commerce, showed several key indicators of disparities identified.

For example, Manu’a workers had a median income of $6,000 less than the territorial average at $17,614. This is also reflected in the per capita income, where Manu’a is at $5,441 while the territorial average is $6,311.

And this disparity has also increased over time. For example, the territorial per capita income increased by 44% from 1999 to 2009, yet it only increased by 20% in Manu’a.

In addition to the need for goods and services to flow into Manu’a, it is just as important to connect local Manu’a produce with the rest of the population.

Many residents in Manu’a are farmers and sell their produce locally in markets. The main market is located in Tutuila and represents a significant opportunity to make sales of their produce. Consistent access via water transport is essential to ensuring that local farmers are able to earn a return on their crops.

“An LCU would provide the proper type of vessel that can enter each wharf safely and bring people and goods to the islands as well as offer opportunities for residents to participate in the greater territorial economy,” said DPA in the proposal.

It explained that a Request for Proposals will be advertised to select an experience consultant who will be responsible for finalizing the vessel specifications and needs.  Once completed, a Request for Proposals to contract the vessel builder and construction manager, to carry out the construction of the vessel.

Details of the proposed projects as well as the public notice is publicly available on the ASG website page [https://www.americansamoa.gov/notices].

(According to wikipedia an LCU vessel — Landing Craft Utility — is used for transportation of ‘troops’ and equipment, including vehicles.)