The Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) yesterday announced that major rehabilitation work will begin on runway 09/27, which is soon to be runway 10/28; and taxiway India at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA).
In a release, the company added that it has joined forces with local firm Bahamas Hot Mix to complete the capital project valued at just under $20 million dollars.
The rehabilitation exercise, they said, will result in required upgrades to asphalt, extending the life of the runways at the airport.
“Runway end safety areas will also be added to reduce the risk of damage to aircraft that overrun the runways and new led approach lights will be installed to assist pilots during low visibility operations,” it said.
The firm added, “over the past year, the internationally recognized independent pavement consulting company, Golder Associates Limited, was contracted to work closely with NAD’s airside operations and public safety team to conduct pre-engineering, design, tender preparations and contract administration services for the runway rehabilitation project.”
In April 2019, NAD initiated a request for tenders (RFT) to six qualified companies, which consisted of four international and two Bahamian firms, to submit bids for asphalt paving services for the project.
NAD explained, “a total of four bids were received and submitted to the independent pavement consultant for evaluation including three international companies in the United States, Canada and Costa Rica and one Bahamian firm.”
“After all of the bids were carefully evaluated, Golder recommended that the contract be awarded to Bahamian asphalt paving company, Bahamas Hot Mix. Golder determined that the company submitted the most competitive bid and met all of the specifications required to complete the project in the most efficient, cost effective and timely manner,” the company added.
Starting today, the airport will begin operating as a single runway facility and this is expected to continue over the next four to six months.
They also indicated that airport stakeholders have activated contingency plans that should assist with reducing impact to overall operations at the country’s major gateway.
NAD officials are also advising members of the travelling public to exercise patience when arriving or departing from LPIA, as there will likely be delays resulting from the runway rehabilitation project.
Motorists using the intersection of Windsor Field Road and Rock Plant Road are also asked to approach the area with caution, pay particular attention to signage in the area and be aware of heavy equipment movement in the area starting this week.
Crews will conduct work between sunrise and sunset.
