Powell River Airport’s rehabilitation project is nearing completion. Local pilot Tye Leishman has been documenting the progress with images taken over the past two months.
At the City of Powell River’s June 4 committee of the whole meeting, director of infrastructure Tor Birtig provided an update on the progress of the project, which has involved lengthening and repaving of the runway, as well as a planned electrical update.
“In my opinion, it is moving along right on schedule and essentially as planned,” said Birtig.
He then showed a series of photos pertaining to the project, including the expansive paving and landscaping that is taking place at the airport. He pointed out some of the hydra-seeding that had taken place to establish grass.
“Once the paving was completed, we had the line markings painted, just before the inclement weather occurred,” said Birtig. “On the west end they are preparing topsoil for final seeding. Everything adjacent to the paved strip has to be to specified slopes and ditches.”
Birtig said an obstacle limitation surface survey was completed a few weeks ago and that a few trees penetrated the obstacle limitation surface. The city worked with Tla’amin Nation and its forestry group to rectify the issue.
“We would like to send out kudos to them because they were very accommodating in a very timely manner to top or drop trees that penetrated the obstacle limitation surface north of the airstrip, but also to the east end,” said Birtig. “We are very thankful they were able to carry that work out for us.”
Birtig then outlined how close the contractors are to completion of the project.
“Construction and all the final topsoil and grading should be completed by end of day June 5,” said Birtig. “We have provided Transport Canada with our airport operations manual. That went to Transport Canada on May 31. Today [June 4], the audit report stating that everything is complying with the specifications, as well as the map of what is physically in the airport, was submitted to Transport Canada.
“We are working with Transport Canada so they can provide us with certification and we are looking for that response in the next couple days.”
Birtig said the city should be able to open the airport and the runway on June 10.
Councillor Trina Isakson said she was wondering how recent rains impacted the project.
“I had a lot of questions from people because we’ve had some pretty torrential rain,” added Isakson.
Birtig said the contractor was limited to the work they could do because of saturated soil, so they lost a couple of days due to rain. He said the paving and runway marking was conducted in good weather, so fortunately, those two operations could be carried out.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said she recalled that opening day was going to be June 9 and now she is hearing June 10. She asked if Pacific Coastal Airlines had been kept in the loop.
Birtig said the city was in regular contact with the airline, which was told that the city would get certification to open the runway June 9 and the first flights could come in on June 10.
“What we were hoping for is opening up the runway earlier, but we are awaiting Transport Canada to give us the nod,” said Birtig.
Councillor Jim Palm congratulated Birtig and his team.
“There are so many variables that go into a project like this, with weather being the big one,” said Birtig. “I’m happy to see this is on time, on schedule and hopefully, on budget.”
Birtig said the project is on schedule and on budget.
“It was an aggressive timeline, and all groups came together to make it happen,” said Birtig.
During question period at the meeting, the Peak asked about the planned electrical upgrades at the airport, which have been delayed. Birtig said the opening of the airport on June 10 will be daylight operation only. Delivery of the lighting fixtures is not anticipated until the end of June, and installation would go into July, he added.
Birtig said daylight hours provide for 15 to 16 hours of operation at the airport, so the delay of the electrical installation would not impact Pacific Coastal’s operation.
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