‘72.5 per cent of earthworks at Argyle completed’

Approximately 72.5 per cent of the total earth and site works at the Argyle International Airport has been completed as of May 12, 2012.{{more}}

This was disclosed by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves during a press conference Tuesday, as he gave an update on the progress made on the airport project thus far.

He further indicated that earthworks on the runway, apron and taxiway are about 75 per cent complete, adding that by the end of this year, 90 per cent is expected to be completed and that by the middle of 2013, all of the earthworks should be completed.

So far, the over $4.4 million has been spent on blasting with over 300 kilograms of explosives used, the prime minister said in his report.

The base laying and pavement works are expected to begin later this year and the International Airport Development Company (IADC) is currently in the process of assembling equipment necessary to facilitate this work Gonsalves said.

Through a competitive bidding process, the prime minister explained that the IADC has awarded three contracts to international companies to supply equipment.

These companies were NSG Limited, who according to the prime minister would be providing equipment for the stone crushing plant at a cost of US$1.06 million; RIMCO – Caterpillar to provide the quarry and base laying equipment at US$2.3 million and GECI Espanola who will provide the airfield lighting and generators at an amount of just under one million US.

Gonsalves said that the workers at the site were currently working on installing the base for the stone crusher.

“The stone crusher would then be installed and commissioned so that the IADC can begin to stockpile stones to begin the pavement works,” the prime minister explained.

Regarding the Yambou river and other hydraulic structures, Gonsalves said that the IADC was in the process of negotiating the financing and purchasing of the equipment to begin preparing the culverts which will span the river under the runway and these works are expected to begin later this year.

Other equipment, the prime minister said that they were in the process of acquiring some more trucks.

“When people talk about trucks, we have to keep a fleet in working condition,” he said.

“They work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for the last 45 months – that’s a lot of work,” Gonsalves continued.

He added that to date, the equipment has consumed almost $10 million worth of fuel which was equivalent to 1.5 million gallons of fuel.

Wind studies are continuing and he described them as favourable, saying that if the need to construct a cross wind runway which had not shown up yet, then this will be facilitated.

As of May 11, 2012 Gonsalves said that the Taiwanese firm Overseas Engineering Construction Company Ltd (OECC) had completed 23 per cent of the terminal building.

There were some slight variations he said, but none significant to change the overall cost of the building.

The three other ancillary buildings which are the control tower, fire and rescue station and carog terminal will be packaged and put to tender and are estimated to cost US$5 million.

He further explained that the government was seeking to locate a private sector entity to finance the construction and operation of the cargo terminal saying that he expected construction to begin by March 2013 to fit in with the anticipated completion date in December.

The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) and the International Aviation Authority had come to a decision after being at loggerheads for an appropriate location for the control tower Gonsalves also said.

The prime minister said that additional arrangements were being made to finance the construction of the project, but that it would be on target to meet its anticipated deadline. (DD)