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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 76 - Wednesday February 15, 2006 |
Melville Hall Airport Expansion Project Continues
 by Sean Douglas, Government Press Secretary
Work is progressing satisfactorily on the Airport Expansion project at the Melville Hall Airport. The Project is being financed by the European Union and the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
The first phase of the project, which includes the construction of a car park, terminal building, retaining wall and associated river works is progressing well.
The new car park is now partially in use, but landscaping, security, lighting and the installation of a toll- booth need to be put in place before it becomes fully operational. The first phase of the project will be completed by the end of this year.
 The second phase of the project involves the Air Side Works. The launching of the tender for the Air Side Works is expected to begin within a month. The Air Side Works will include the extension of the runway by 300 meters, the construction of Runway End Safety Areas (RESAs), 150 meters on each end, and the procurement and installation of facilities for night landing, lights, navigational aids and procuring equipment for fire and rescue services.
A corp of forty-one (41) personnel from the Venezuelan army is currently in Dominica to undertake earthworks and diversion of the river. Eleven Cubans are expected on island shortly to augment the Venezuelan contingent.
The project is expected to be completed by mid 2008. However in the best case scenario, it could be completed by the end of 2007.The total cost of the Project is expected to be in the region of EC$84 million.
The Air Access Expansion Programme is a major component of the Government of Dominica�s economic growth agenda. The construction of the Road from Canefield to Melville Hall, to be financed by the French Government at a cost of some EC$54 million, is expected to complement significantly the expansion at Melville Hall Airport.
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