Great Exuma’s new airport is making progress, with plans for a December debut of its first phase.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Chester Cooper, led a delegation of government officials, with the President of the Inter-American Development Bank, Ilan Goldfajn, and his team, on a tour of the Exuma Airport on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
“This project signals a great partnership between the Government of The Bahamas and the IDB,” said Cooper. “It will improve and empower the economy and people of Exuma and the people of the South and Central Bahamas.”
The Exuma Airport Project is part of the IDB-financed Airport Infrastructure Program loan in the amount of $35 million to support the upgrade and improve four airports in the Family islands, which include airdrome facilities in Exuma, North Eleuthera, Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay.
Goldfajn said that the project not only changes the economy but also increases the island’s resilience when faced with natural disaster, it will assist in health emergencies, and the flexibility of travel between the islands.
Engineer at the Ministry of Works, Charlene Collie, led a guided tour of the site, explained the scope of work to be carried out and gave an update on what has been completed.
The scope of work includes: pavement rehabilitation works for apron, taxiway and runway; new taxiway installation; installation of new fencing and new drainage infrastructure; installation of new airside lighting and electrical; installation of navigational aids and runway markings.
To date, the work completed includes: 100 percent of the clearing and grubbing drainage infrastructure, 100 percent of the fencing, 76 percent of earthworks and currently ongoing electrical and pavement works.
It is anticipated that the airport project will improve access to health care facilities, employment and services; benefit more than 258,000 passengers annually; facilitate greater access to domestic and international travel; improve safety and efficiency of air travel and enhance climate resilient infrastructure.
