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US$40m overrun on delayed phase 1A of Manley Airport
BY INGRID BROWN Observer senior reporter [email protected]
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Phase 1A of the expansion work on the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston is now expected to be completed almost six months behind schedule and will cost a whopping US$40 million more than budgeted.
"The expansion of the airport, which is taking place right now, has moved from a developmental cost of [US]$80 million to [US]$120 million," Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry told the Observer.
However, Henry speculated that spiralling oil prices and the challenges they have presented to the airline industry were responsible for the overrun.
"I haven't really examined the reasons for that (overrun) in totality but I think it may be that natural increases account for a portion and it may be that we didn't cater for everything," he said.
Despite this, Henry said the completion of phase 1 was about on target for a July or August official opening.
"The board of directors met last week and I should get a report this week as to the exact time frame for completion," Henry told the Observer.
He explained that there have been delays with some of the things ordered, due to government procurement procedures, such as seating for the upstairs area. He said that although the tender process was held up, the fittings are expected to arrive within the next six weeks.
The shops downstairs are also to be relocated some time this month.
"I don't want to open the airport with some things not done without a clear explanation to the public, so we are moving to have most things in place by the official opening," he said.
The minister said there are other phases to be developed, however the focus now is on getting the main building ready.
Phase 1A, which was initially slated for completion this March, will include a new three-level departure concourse of 10,000 square metres; a two-level passenger pier to separate arriving and departing passengers (as required by international security protocols); upgraded primary electrical infrastructure; boarding bridges; an upgraded roadway system and expanded car park, among other features.
The entire expansion and redevelopment programme was projected to cost a total of US$130 million over the 20 years of development.
In an interview with the Observer last year, Earl Richards, chairman of the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), said phase 1A of the 20-year master plan was slated for completion at the end of this February.
"What we have done is to identify certain critical sections of the project that we are seeking to complete by the end of February next year," Richards had said.
At the end of phase 1A, Richards said, work should be completed on the arrival and departure pier, which is currently being rebuilt, as well as the arrivals area, where persons exit customs.
He pointed out that there will be a substantial section of the new building also available to handle departing passengers. However, the full project would not be completed, but additional capacity at the departures end will be available in this first phase.
BY INGRID BROWN Observer senior reporter [email protected]
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Phase 1A of the expansion work on the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston is now expected to be completed almost six months behind schedule and will cost a whopping US$40 million more than budgeted.
"The expansion of the airport, which is taking place right now, has moved from a developmental cost of [US]$80 million to [US]$120 million," Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry told the Observer.
However, Henry speculated that spiralling oil prices and the challenges they have presented to the airline industry were responsible for the overrun.
"I haven't really examined the reasons for that (overrun) in totality but I think it may be that natural increases account for a portion and it may be that we didn't cater for everything," he said.
Despite this, Henry said the completion of phase 1 was about on target for a July or August official opening.
"The board of directors met last week and I should get a report this week as to the exact time frame for completion," Henry told the Observer.
He explained that there have been delays with some of the things ordered, due to government procurement procedures, such as seating for the upstairs area. He said that although the tender process was held up, the fittings are expected to arrive within the next six weeks.
The shops downstairs are also to be relocated some time this month.
"I don't want to open the airport with some things not done without a clear explanation to the public, so we are moving to have most things in place by the official opening," he said.
The minister said there are other phases to be developed, however the focus now is on getting the main building ready.
Phase 1A, which was initially slated for completion this March, will include a new three-level departure concourse of 10,000 square metres; a two-level passenger pier to separate arriving and departing passengers (as required by international security protocols); upgraded primary electrical infrastructure; boarding bridges; an upgraded roadway system and expanded car park, among other features.
The entire expansion and redevelopment programme was projected to cost a total of US$130 million over the 20 years of development.
In an interview with the Observer last year, Earl Richards, chairman of the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), said phase 1A of the 20-year master plan was slated for completion at the end of this February.
"What we have done is to identify certain critical sections of the project that we are seeking to complete by the end of February next year," Richards had said.
At the end of phase 1A, Richards said, work should be completed on the arrival and departure pier, which is currently being rebuilt, as well as the arrivals area, where persons exit customs.
He pointed out that there will be a substantial section of the new building also available to handle departing passengers. However, the full project would not be completed, but additional capacity at the departures end will be available in this first phase.
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