The extension of the Wallblake Airport runway is set for completion, as the December 17 deadline approaches, despite delays caused by rain and other factors. By the end of this week, it is expected that all of the major earthworks should be completed, leaving the stone and asphalt works to be put into place at the western section of the airstrip.

LIAT flies over the final section of Wallblake Airport under construction

“The placement of the stone is ongoing between now and Christmas and we will open for Christmas,” Project Manager, Jamie Collins told The Anguillian on Wednesday this week. “There are no problematic situations to deny us opening on time.”

In recent days, increased efforts were made to procure additional supplies of fill when the supply at the Corito landfill site began to run out. “We have worked on 13 different locations to excavate and obtain marl, mainly because the original hole didn’t yield what was anticipated and we struggled to find locations across the island to satisfy the volumes that were needed,” Collins said. Some of the new excavation sites were within the actual airport grounds and on the northern side of the airfield outside the fenced area as well as a number of additional areas in the Corito burrow pit. According to him, about one million cubic yards of fill has gone into the project.

Mr. Collins said that as a result of the filling of the airstrip, all truck movements would significantly diminish beyond this week. “We are due to finish on time for Christmas, all being well, and in January there are some additional pieces that we will be asked to undertake in the apron areas to facilitate correct taxi-way crossings and that will take us into February,” he stated.

Asked how he felt that the deadline date was being met, Mr. Collins had this to say: “It is very satisfactory and pleasing. It’s a breath of fresh air. It is not easy to deliver a project on time anywhere with the pressures associated with it and so many variables, but it is very satisfying to be able to do that. Of course I will be more satisfied when we cut the ribbon.”

While the runway itself will be completed to the planned length of 5,440 feet, the landscaping works including the laying of top soil at the sides of the airstrip will still have to be carried out.

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