More changes at Beef Island Airport as Project Continues
Visitors to the Beef Island Airport in recent days would have noticed some more changes taking place on site as the development project progresses. Several phases are ongoing, with construction of the main buildings and the landside infrastructure being the most visible activities.
This is the largest capital project to be undertaken by the government of the Virgin Islands. The total cost of the project is $53M. Funding is being provided by the government, the Caribbean Development Bank, the European Union, the European Investment Bank and Scotia Bank.
Work began in January and the entire project should be completed by the start of the 2002 winter tourist season. The project involves the construction of a new and expanded terminal and cargo building facility and includes an extension to the existing runway. It is being undertaken by a number of international contractors, including NACO, Norde France Internationales, Phillip Holzmann and Co. and J. McArdle Contracts, in conjunction with several sub-contractors, including Autland Heavy Equipment, Ward Electrical, Sandwise etc. In relation to Package 1, the buildings, concrete sub-contractor James Frett was expected to have completed the concrete works to the terminal building foundations and ground floor slab by the end of October. "He will then concentrate on similar substructure work for the cargo building" according to Airport Development Engineer Stuart Logan. Mr. Logan said the first delivery of structural steelwork arrived on site in mid October. The second consignment got delayed in Florida, but arrived in Port Purcell October 22nd. The steel is now on site and Meridian Construction has commenced assembly of the frame. Several containers of roof cladding materials and insulation are already on site awaiting the steel frame. "The contract remains behind schedule by some 7 to 9 weeks" the Airport Development Engineer reported. "The contractor is expected to recover some or all of this with a faster erection time for the steelwork than had originally been planned." Package 2 consists of the landside infrastructure. Completion of the silt retention ponds and outfall controls is well advanced. The heavy rain experienced in mid September was well contained. The contractor is now working on the final preparation of the roads and has commenced the installation of cables for the street lighting. The runway extension, Phase 1B, is progressing as planned. During the last month, the contractor established his offices on site and has proceeded with the clearance of Conch Shell Point, prior to lowering the rock outcrop to the level of the runway extension. Work has started and, "in this area, there is a large outcrop" Mr. Logan pointed out. He said this would require controlled blasting in a location close to the existing road and runway. Notices are being published to advise those travelling to the airport that there may be times when the access road to the airport will be closed for 15-30 minutes while the blasting takes place.
"This will normally take place during afternoons when flights are less frequent. However, anyone travelling from Beef Island should allow extra time for their journey to the airport to allow for possible delays" the Airport Development Engineer advised. He said local residents are being kept informed of the blasting programme and the police and airport operations personnel are included in the safety precautions to be implemented. The first blasting took place during the week of October 23rd. Road closure was reportedly limited to less than 10 minutes on each occasion.
Meantime, the consultant appointed to carry out the Airport Management Study was expected to visit the BVI during the week of November 6th. He is now gathering data and assembling his team, prior to the start of this project. Several other contracts for work associated with the airport development project will shortly be put out to tender or announced. The first would be the announcement of the award of the Baggage Handling System - Package 11. There will however be a period of offshore design and manufacture before the equipment is delivered for installation in April-May 2001. Package 3 - airside infrastructure - is the last major construction package in Phase 1A of the project. It includes the construction of new aircraft pavements and the overlay of the existing apron to be carried in stages to ensure that adequate aircraft parking space is maintained throughout the construction period. When completed, the new apron will provide approximately three times the parking space presently available. The tender notice inviting bids for this contract has been published. Tender documents are available from the Ministry of Finance until 17th November. In terms of activities planned for this month, the Airport Development Engineer said progress is expected on the erection of the steel frame for the terminal building. "The first quarter of the building should be completed during the month" He said drainage work would be substantially completed for the landside areas during November and progress will be made on the street lighting and a start made on the kerbs in the car park and for the terminal roads. "Progress will continue on the formation of the new access road, the reduction of levels at Conch Shell Point and a start made on construction of the retaining bund for the runway extension in Conch Shell Bay."
Also this month, the tenderersâ site briefing for Package 3, Airside Infrastructure, will be held. Tenders are due in mid December. The signing ceremony for the final two loans was held November 2nd from the Caribbean Development Bank and Scotia Bank, for work on the runway extension/ancillary works and the landside and airside infrastructure respectively. Mr. Logan announced that the public information progress displays would be installed in the existing passenger terminal. These will include progress photographs that will be updated regularly. Access to the government jetty at Trellis Bay will be maintained throughout the construction period. However, vehicle parking in this area will be restricted to the eastern (Trellis Bay) side of the road.