THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure today, held its second full site visit and updated the media on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project. The project is still on schedule for the December 2017 deadline, despite several challenges with removal of utilities, officials confirmed today.

Owner of BK International Incorporated, Brian Tiwari, inked an agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company for the purchase of stone for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project.

Present at the event were Ministers of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Annette Ferguson; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Geoffrey Vaughn; Project Manager of the Ministry, Carmichael Thorne; Chief Executive Officer CJIA, Ramesh Ghir and other staff of the Ministry, CJIA and China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHECL).

The US$138M contract for the project was signed on November 11, 2011 between the government and CHECL.

According to Vaughn, to date close to $85M has been expended on the project. Areas nearing completion include the extension of north-east and south -west runway (80 percent). The relocation of most materials is almost complete, while extensive works on the terminal building are still outstanding.

Vaughn noted that the existing terminal building will be completely rehabilitated and used for departure only, while a new terminal building will be constructed for arriving passengers only. A boarding corridor with two passenger boarding bridges will connect directly to the terminal buildings, and a new diesel generator building and a fire pump station will be constructed. A new apron and a taxiway to cater for larger aircraft, are also to be considered.

During the tour, it was discovered that the north-east end of the runway is more compact and elevated than the south -west runway, because the vibrofloation (a ground- improvement technique used at a considerable depth that by using a powered electrically or hydraulically probe, it strengthens the soil) process is completed on the north-east side of the runway.

It was also discovered that works are moving apace on the temporary terminal building and the new checking hall for passengers.

The project is being executed by a team made up of 311 employees. Vaughn said there are plans to expand the labour force to boost the project. In the upcoming months, work will be speeded up particularly on the terminal building; this may disrupt traffic, but the aim is to complete the project as per schedule.