Beef Island Airport Construction and Expansion, British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is conducting an extensive project at Beef Island Airport on the island of Tortola. The project consists of 4 phases of expansion and construction and is estimated to cost $55 million. The final contract was awarded in May 2001, and is expected to be completed in July 2002.

BVI AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT

The Beef Island Airport development project has officially been underway since February 2000. The project is the largest such capital project ever to be undertaken by the government of the BVI. Local participation has reportedly guaranteed up to 80% of the total contract sum.

The airport is a key factor in the future of the British Virgin Islands. It supports the business community, underpins the community's efforts to attract inward investment to the community and assists with projecting the British Virgin Islands as an up-market tourist destination. The airport on all of these small islands is the hub of the community and brings finance, commerce and tourism.

The project has been seriously discussed since 1986 and has been in the planning cycle since 1988. Construction work has entailed the services of over 200 workers, and local subcontractors will also be employed to work on the project.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Feasibility studies and consultancies cost more than $5.31 million and took more than eight years. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Economic Affairs Secretariat conducted the initial study. This was followed by the Netherlands Airports Consultants executing a master plan for the development of the airport, followed by the architectural engineering designs. An environmental impact assessment and a management study have also been conducted.

The implementation strategy of the project is designed to accommodate uninterrupted operation of the airport, fast and efficient construction, the involvement of local contractors and the satisfaction of the procurement rules of overseas financing agencies. The implementation strategy also takes into consideration the requirements and recommendations of the environmental impact assessment.

The management structure of the development and implementation team and the requirements of the financing agencies necessitated a comprehensive reporting regime. Monthly reports are prepared in various formats for the financing agencies covering physical and financial progress. The project will be co-funded by the European Development Fund (EDF), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the government of the Virgin Islands.

AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The Beef Island Airport development project incorporates the construction of a 46,000ft² passenger terminal building, approximately four times the size of the present building, a cargo facility terminal and landslide and airside infrastructure including a car park, access roads, drainage works, security fencing and enlargement of the airport aircraft parking. Construction of an auxiliary support service for the terminal building, a new approach access road and landside car park providing 150 spaces are also part of the project.

Other elements include the extension of the runway to approximately 4,700ft, a fire station and an air control tower and administration. These improvements will increase the capacity of the runway by 1,000ft and will permit airlines to operate slightly larger aircraft into the territory, with provisions for re-fuelling and increased services. The resulting modern facility will significantly improve air access to and from the BVI.

The last contract for the airport expansion was signed in May 2001 with the local Trinidad Contractors Ltd for the airside phase of the project. The five-stage $4.5 million project covers the demolition of the old terminal, flood lights, excavation works, and the preparation of the subgrade for the site, as well as the final sealing of the surface. This is expected to be completed in July 2002.

LANDSIDE INFRASTRUCTURE

Contracts have been awarded to Norde France Enterprises Internationales, Phillip Holzmann and J McArdle Contracts Limited for the landside infrastructure.