The airport is undergoing a $16.4 million expansion project, which includes a 1,600-feet extension of the runway, increasing it to 6,600 feet, and also the construction of a 2,400 foot taxiway running parallel to the runway.

About $6 million has been funded by the province, while $5 million has been obtained from the Island Coastal Economic Trust for the expansion project.

High intensity runway lighting is also to be installed along with new instrument landing systems to deal with the reliability issues relating to Vancouver Island’s foggy fall weather.

The airport requires upgrades as its current taxiway golf does not have enough lighting and is restricted to day use only, while the other taxiways have a 5,000 pound maximum gross weight capacity.

McElhanney Consulting is managing the project, who reveal that the runway is being expanded to accommodate the 737-700 series design aircraft, which require a pavement load rating (PLR) in excess of ten.

This calls for 700mm of granular sub-base, 400mm of granular base, and 100mm of asphalt, while the taxiway will require 400 mm of granular sub-base, 300 mm of granular base, and 100 mm of asphalt to achieve the required PLR.

A high water table has created difficulty in the excavation of the sub base, which was resolved by constructing a large ditch that runs the entire length of the runway and drains on the north side, and by reviewing and modifying the sub-grade prep requirements.

The base of the subway is being laid down while the paving is to be done in the near future. The runway has also been reduced to 150 feet from its previous 200 feet.

The airfield lighting is also being replaced and new wiring and junction boxes are installed. Siemans Airport Technology is supplying the lighting for the project, while Liberty Airport Systems will provide the regulators and controls for the project.

The project also provides for de-icing material interception chamber, a fuel spill separation tank and an oil-water separator on the storm drainage.

The airport organization has applied for federal funding for phase two, scheduled for construction between 2010 and 2014, which will increase parking, roughly double the size of the 13,000-square-foot terminal and upgrade the site’s road and wastewater systems, and is expected to cost $10.4 million.

Parking facilities will be further expanded in the third phase of project depending upon the demand growth.