Airport Authority gears up for major works programme

24 February 2018, 12:00AM

The Samoa Airport Authority (S.A.A.) is preparing for major airport pavement and drainage improvement works to key aeronautical infrastructure assets in the coming months.

With the terminal construction work coming to an end soon, the focus will now move to the pavement of the multi-million-tala facility.

The first part is a US$31,400,750 (T$75m) contract with Downer NZ Ltd. to undertake the design and construction of pavement surfacing and infrastructure upgrade.

“The goal is to achieve the required design standards,” a statement Cabinet said. “Airfield drainage improvements are also a necessary requirement under the contract to ensure climate resilience to protect airport assets.”  

Downer’s 18-month contract is separated into two parts; apron works and taxiway pavements as first priority, and runway works to follow later. 

The apron expansion and fuel hydrant works will commence construction in May 2018, with a planned completion in November 2018. 

The runway rehabilitation is scheduled to begin in February 2019 and planned completion by July 2019. 

Downer New Zealand Limited offers a wide range of experience in the construction and maintenance of various infrastructure in transportation, mining, energy and industrial engineering, utilities, communications, and facilities markets primarily in Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the Pacific. 

A separate supervisory contract has also been signed between S.A.A. and Lyon Associates Inc., to provide Technical Advisory Services for the Faleolo International Airport works. 

The total contract ceiling for this 42-month contract is US$1,023,286.28 (T$2.4m).

Lyon, a Hawaiian (U.S.A.) based company, is a multi-disciplinary organization providing expertise in engineering, planning and construction management, with successful projects completed in the Pacific.

These contracts are major activities under the Samoa Aviation Investment Project (S.A.I.P.), whose development objective is to improve operational safety and oversight of international air transport and associated infrastructure. 

The project is funded by the World Bank Group through a partial grant and credit, with the Government of Samoa providing counterpart financing through the payment of indirect taxes.

24 February 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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