fp Turks and Caicos

On budget and on schedule, the first phase of the Providenciales International Airport expansion was declared complete Aug. 2, boasting a longer and improved runway and taxiways.

When it opens to flights next month, the 9,200-foot runway — an increase of 1,600 feet — will be able to accommodate direct flights of the largest passenger planes. That means travelers from far away can fly direct to Provo, saving days of layovers that they can spend instead in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“It is a significant landmark in the history of air traffic in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said His Excellency the Gov. Gordon Wetherell, who cut the ribbon marking the occasion.

“It is important that the airport be able to support and indeed facilitate the growth which we are experiencing in terms of visitor numbers and the growth which is expected to continue, encompassing both traditional markets in this hemisphere and ones further afield,” Wetherell said.

“Discussions are underway with a range of airlines, and I hope that we will soon be in a position to announce additional services to Providenciales from new markets and also new sources of revenue for the islands and our government.”

The $35 million project also was a big shot in the arm for local employment during recent rough economic times. Canadian contractor Dexter Construction and local subcontractors Cove Construction Ltd. and CBMS were required to use at least a 70 percent Turks and Caicos Islander workforce, but they managed to reach an impressive level of 94 percent.

Wetherell gave the lion’s share of credit for the success of the project to Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority CEO John T. Smith.
“It’s John Smith and his colleagues here who, before this project actually started, paved the way for this, made sure the objective was clearly set, and then worked hard and determinedly to achieve it,” the governor said after accepting a plaque from Smith commemorating completion of the first phase. “So when I put this up on my mantle piece, I will really think it should be on your mantle piece.”

Speaking to a large crowd in the international departure lounge of the airport, Smith said the project had to overcome many obstacles.

Those included Hurricanes Hanna and Ike in 2008, followed by a worldwide recession, then the elected government that started the project was removed from power in 2009 after allegations of corruption.

The airport required much more than just a longer runway, Smith pointed out. The drainage system was almost nonexistent, meaning a brief rain could flood the taxiways and nearby South Dock Road leading to Five Cays.

Now a state of the art system of rip-rap swales catches runoff that is filtered through an oil and sand grit separator into a settling reservoir. If that reservoir overflows, water goes into a vegetative settling area.

“There is no direct entry of any catchment water into the Chalk Sound National Park,” Smith assured.

More than 700,000 cubic metres of limestone quarry had to be excavated to lengthen the runway and reduce the height of a hill on the approach. What quarry wasn’t then used in construction has been stockpiled on the southwest side of the runway.

More than 7 kilometres of fence topped with barbed wire and razor wire was strung around the airport perimeter to meet international security requirements. New lighting was installed throughout the project.

The project’s contractors worked around the clock to complete the project without interrupting regular passenger flights, with the exception of one four-hour delay cause by rain.

“I’ve been enormously impressed by the speed with which the extension of the main runway, the necessary repairs … the relaying of the ancillary areas have been performed,” the governor said. “It has required flexibility from all users and stakeholders of the airport and its services, and we’re grateful for their patience in this process, and it’s completion on time is a credit to all those involved.”

The governor said the next phase of the project — building a new terminal — must get underway as soon as possible because the current terminal is at or beyond capacity without any new flights.

Blythe Clare of the Tourist Board described the completion of the first phase ass “one small step for Providenciales, one giant step for our destination.”

“This chapter puts the Turks and Caicos Islands, not next to, but alongside of our many competitors regarding direct opportunities of travel to their destination of choice,” she said.

The project took just over a year to complete and was funded by a $20 departure fee.

Photo: Taking part in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of Phase 1 of the airport expansion are (from left) TCIAA CEO John T. Smith, government CFO Caroline Gardner, Gov. Gordon Wetherell and TCIAA Board Chairman Herbert Ingham. (Richard Green/Staff)