Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/2006/-1/135/
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Airport Project Still On Target
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Some dates have been changed, like the time when Dash-8 aircraft should resume operations at Wallblake Airport in Anguilla (from October 16 to November 1), but December 17 is still the target date for the completion of the runway. “There are some challenges ahead, but we can get pass them,” Kenn Banks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities and Housing, told a press briefing on Tuesday, October 5.
Project Manager, Fritz Smith, noting that rain had recently caused some delays, said that weather conditions were a constant factor to take into consideration as the deadline date approaches. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Development, Marcel Fahie, made the point that the cost of the project was still within the budget of US$21 million.
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Kenn Banks and Fritz Smith at the eastern end of the airport with workers
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Mr. Smith stated that the three major aspects of work were the earthworks at the western end of the runway where it was being built up to some 38 feet but sloping to zero to connect with and take out the bump area; the ground lighting throughout the entire airstrip which should be completed by month-end; and the regulating of the new extension to the east with the existing portion of the airstrip with asphalt which should be finished shortly. He stated that by the end of October the Dash -8 aircraft owned by LIAT and Caribbean Star would be allowed to operate day and night flights.
One of the current challenges is an effort to keep up the supply of 6,500 cubic meters of fill a day from the burrow pit at Corito for the earthworks at the western end of the airstrip. Excavating of the material has become harder necessitating the blasting of additional land at Corito to gain access to the marl beneath the rocky surface.
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Laying on of a coat of asphalt at the eastern end of the runway
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A visit to both the Corito landfill site and the Airport expansion project by the media provided a mind-boggling understanding about the tremendous amount of fill being required. So far, the eastern end of the airstrip took some 280,000 cubic meters of material and it is taking a greater effort to provide the 6,500 cubic meters a day for the western end.
As work continues on the western portion of the runway, residents below on the Statia Valley Road have been relocated. It is also planned to relocate persons to the north on the George Hill road where the runway and fencing are extremely close to a number of houses. These buildings will eventually be demolished and new homes will be built elsewhere for the residents next year.
Other airport works will include upgrading of the terminal building such as the closing in of some areas for security reasons, an extension to the baggage area, re-tiling and re-painting.
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Laying on of a coat of asphalt at the eastern end of the runway
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There will also be the FBO facility at the airport to be provided by Lloyd’s Aviation Services which will be required to supply fuel as from the end of the month. A major part of the FBO is a terminal for private jets to be operational by the end of the next tourist season. According to Mr. Banks, in addition to providing fuel, this facility will look at such matters as flight planning, entries for aircraft, landing fees and other catering services.
The jet aircraft will use the apron to be constructed at the north of the runway. Until the FBO terminal is built by Lloyd’s Aviation Services (in association with Million Air of New York), it will be arranged for persons arriving on the private jets to be accommodated in a section of the existing Government terminal building. The area will likely be the VIP Lounge which is currently under-utilised.
The FBO terminal is to be located in an area west of the fire services building, where Lloyd’s Aviation proposes to build 100,000 square feet of parking.
Meanwhile, Mr. Fahie pointed out that despite all the costs involved to Government, the airport expansion project was still within the US$21 million budget. Such additional work, like overlaying the middle area of the airstrip, at a cost of EC$500,000, which the contractor Lagan Holdings was requested to undertake, and which has been done, was covered under the contingency costs built into the budget.
What is additional expense, however, is the cost of providing homes for residents at the western end of the airstrip, where extension work had to be undertaken following a change in the design plans.
When the runway is completed, it will have a length of 5,440 feet (more than one mile long).