ALBURY Council has committed to spending more than $2 million on airport improvements including a general aviation apron upgrade.
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It has accepted a tender of $2.1 million from Excell Gray Bruni for the apron improvements, runway shoulder sealing and reconstruction of a taxiway.
The apron is about 8800 square metres in size and services eight aircraft hangars operated by a variety of aviation businesses.
Its surface is in poor condition and is becoming increasingly more expensive to maintain.
The improvements will include a complete pavement reconstruction with sprayed bitumen-seal surface.
The airport's runway presently has gravel shoulders which are prone to wind erosion caused from propeller or jet blast and water erosion.
They are also non-compliant with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's manual of standards.
In a bid to reduce maintenance costs and cater for future aircraft movements the shoulders will be sealed to a minimum width of three metres either side of the runway edge.
The taxiway to be upgraded also doesn't meet present CASA standards.
An open drain runs adjacent to the taxiway on its western side and is located eight metres from the taxiway centreline.
CASA requirements call for an 11-metre difference.
It was originally planned to complete the three projects in stages, but it was decided to test the market by calling for individual tenders and a combined approach.
Five tenders were received with Excell Gray Bruni's submission emerging as the most cost effective.
The initial budget allocation of $1.17 million was established based on concept plans only and following detailed design it was evident additional funds were required.
A further $990,000 was allocated to these projects to take advantage of economies of scale and address CASA non-compliances.
The upgrades will be undertaken without disrupting airport operations which will include night works.
Excell Gray Bruni is presently doing the Wagga Road upgrade for council.