Work on the Campbell River Airport project is moving forward with the posting of an invitation to tender for the runway extension construction work, posted last week. The tender is set to close June 15, 2010. The City has already had interest from firms and suppliers as far away as the UK.
"We're pleased with the interest we've been getting on this project," said Ron Neufeld, general manager of operations at the City of Campbell River. "The success of this project will be measured by our ability to complete the work within a very tight timeline. With the level of interest we have received so far, we're expecting to receive competitive bids."
The tender is posted on the City of Campbell River website under Bid Opportunities. (More information is available by contacting the City's Facilities and Supply Management Department at 250-286-5766.)
Construction at the airport has been broken into several phases. The two main projects are the runway extension work and improvements to the airport terminal building. The design for the runway extension was completed in May by EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd. of Kelowna. The design work for the terminal building upgrade, also by EBA, is beginning. Design work is expected to be completed this fall, to be followed immediately by construction.
Coinciding with the runway extension work, NAV Canada, the country's civil air navigation services provider, will replace the existing runway's Instrument Landing System (ILS) localizer, glide path electronics and antenna systems. This work is part of a national upgrade program separate from the runway extension project and was initially scheduled for future years. However NAV Canada has agreed to schedule the ILS replacement to coincide with the runway extension to minimize operational impact to the airport. This work is currently getting underway at the south end of the runway with the replacement of the ILS localizer antenna system and electronics. NAV Canada's work at the north end is scheduled for the fall in coordination with the City's runway extension work.
"We are confident the extension of the runway and improvements to the terminal building will open doors for economic growth and diversification," said Mayor Charlie Cornfield. "Airports grow in this way-over time through upgrades and enhancements-as funds are available. This is a major step forward for Campbell River."
Construction on the runway extension will begin in early July, following the NAV Canada work at the south end of the runway. The construction tender for the terminal building work will be posted on the City of Campbell River site in the fall of 2010, with construction estimated to start November 2010 and be completed by March 31, 2011.
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Contact:
Marci Hotsenpiller
Communications, Airport Upgrade Project
Tel: 250-203-7867
marci.hotsenpiller@campbellriver.ca
