(Photo supplied: Fort McMurray International Airport, Jan. 21, 2015/TWITTER).
The airport is ready to take off with plans to expand its terminal and runways. The Fort McMurray International Airport sent out a request for proposals for a project manager for Phase 2 of its expansion.
Its main runway is 7,500 feet, but there’s a some portion of it that can’t be used for landing. The airport is hoping to extend it to 9,000 feet, so some planes aren’t limited by departing and landing requirements on the strip.
Based on an analysis of traffic, the airport says it will need five bridged gates for domestic and international flights by 2017. It wants to see another two gates to help handle increased traffic. With the added gates, the airport says it will need to expand the main terminal building for holdrooms and supporting facilities for passengers.
The plans also include a Emergency Crosswind Runway, two General Aviation Taxiways and expanding the North Terminal Apron. The entire project costs $75 million. The Municipality committed $25 million during a previous budget, while Ottawa matched that through a federal grant announced last month. The airport is covering the rest.
Bidding closes May 25. The airport is hosting it’s Annual Public Meeting tonight from 5:30 – 7 at Shell Place.
