WESTERN BUREAU:
THE AIRPORT Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) is to spend some $40 million to upgrade and improve the Negril aerodrome in Westmoreland this year.
"The objective is to increase the safety of the aircraft that are currently using the aerodrome and not necessarily to accommodate any other type of aircraft," said Patrick Salter, director of projects at the AAJ. The Negril aerodrome can accommodate small aircraft used in domestic flights.
The work which is scheduled to get underway later this year, includes the extension of the runway both in length and width. It will be extended by three metres on each side to a total of 25 metres, up from 19 metres. The length of the runway which is now 660 metres will also be extended by a further 152 metres.
Also, the surface will be elevated by about one foot to facilitate rapid drainage from the runway. Tenders for the work closed on April 30.
"We should be able to award a contract within three months, maybe by the middle to the end of August," Mr. Salther told The Gleaner.
Work on the Negril aerodrome is expected to last for five months, and should be completed by February, 2004.
