ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, March 28th, 2012 – Residents and business owners came out in numbers last evening to learn about several options Government is exploring to expand the runway at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.
In a public meeting held at the East End/Long Look Community Centre, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering, led the airport development discussions which was designed to explain the plans and intent the ministry has for the development of the airport.
The Minister added that the conceptual ideas will be given for public feedback on the two leading options for runway expansion which was done through an impact assessment. However, he stressed that nothing was cast in stone and that other ideas and suggestions were still being considered.
Managing Director of the BVI Airport Authority (BVIAA) Mr. Denniston Fraser informed residents that Louis Berger, a US company that carried out the feasibility study on the development of the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport, submitted several options for expanding the airport and it is now down to options four and six.
Mr. Fraser’s presentation included the advantages and disadvantages of the remaining options. He reported that option four proposes to lengthen the runway to 6,068 feet with two runways in operation which would facilitate direct flights from Miami and Atlanta on Boeing 747 and 700. He also added that option four will offer a direct approach from the sea; there will be potential for expansion; and Trellis Bay will be hardly affected.
The disadvantages he explained include crosswind landings; there will be an environmental impact; and increased wind shear which could be a bit unsafe for landing. Further, the noise pollution at Scrub Island and Great Camanoe are concerns and any lengthening would infringe water traffic.
Option six will see the runway extended to some 7,000 feet and would be able to accommodate AB 390, 320 and the Embrea 190. This option, Fraser told residents, will reduce the environmental impact which would save the pond and beach, reduced crosswinds, and accommodate code C and D aircrafts.
However, the disadvantages include higher weather minimums, which means jets would have to use a height of about 1,290 feet and the runway must be visual and the circling approach, while the concerns include future widening, will have an environmental impact on Trellis Bay and salt ponds. The gathering was also informed by Mr. Fraser that option four would cost Government $70M, and option six $38M. The project will be done in several phases.
Whilst there were mix reviews on the options presented, Mr. Keith Flax the former member of the House Assembly who says he supports the development insisted that as a country we continue to limit ourselves. “We continue to plan for short term rather than long term.
We are talking about flights from Miami, what about direct flights from Europe? We are limiting ourselves especially when we look at what is happening in the region. We have to look at what is good for the people.”
The next and final meeting on the Airport Expansion Project will be held this Thursday, March 29 at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall in Road Town at (time).
Persons requiring further information are encouraged to telephone the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour at 468-3701 ext. 2147.
.
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
British Virgin Islands News