Above: Owen Roberts International Airport

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Cayman Islands has tapped a Jacksonville, Fla.-based firm to provide design and construction consultancy services for the planned expansion of Owen Roberts International Airport.

The RS&H won the bid to provide the services out of four finalists, according to the Cayman Islands Central Tenders Committee.

“Throughout 2014 our Islands consistently registered record breaking arrivals and projections for the winter season anticipate a continuation of this upward trend. Consequently, the transformation of ORIA into a modern facility that can deliver a higher level of service, efficiency and comfort to the traveling public remains a top priority,” said Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell. “I am therefore pleased that plans to provide more space and improved amenities are moving forward on schedule.”

The government said representatives from the company were currently on the island.

It is anticipated that the concept design, design development and issuance of tender documents will take place in the first half of 2015, the government said.

That would pave the way for the tender award and construction to commence during the summer of this year.

“Given the scope and complexity of the airport expansion project which by necessity must continue operating while construction is ongoing, I welcome the addition of RS&H to the project,” said Airports Authority CEO, Albert Anderson. “They bring a breadth of knowledge and experience from their respective areas of expertise and we look forward to working with them in the delivery of an airport facility our community can take pride in.”

RS&H’s portfolio includes the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas and airports in Duluth, Los Angeles, Rochester, Indianapolis and Newport News.

RS&H actually designed Grand Cayman’s original terminal, which opened in 1991.