Quesnel Regional Airport received funding for the purchase of a sweeper
BRITISH COLUMBIA – Canadians rely on safe and well-maintained local and regional airports to provide essential air services, including community resupply, air ambulance, search and rescue, and wildfire fighting.
Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced that the Government of Canada is investing in safe and efficient airports in British Columbia.
Through Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program, more than $12 million in new funding will be provided to eight airports in British Columbia for projects and the purchase of equipment that will help ensure safe airport operations for passengers, crew and airport staff. The following is a list of airports that will receive funding:
Bella Bella Airport, Campbell Island – Runway 13-31 End Safety Area Upgrades – $5,527,913
Campbell River Airport – for the purchase of a 4×4 snowplow truck – $558,375
West Kootenay Regional Airport, Castlegar – Taxiway and Apron 5 Rehabilitation and Expansion – $2,359,820
Kamloops Airport – Apron 1 Rehabilitation – $2,091,362
Nanaimo Airport – for the purchase of a charger – $346,860
Quesnel Regional Airport – for the purchase of a sweeper – $491,500
Northwest Regional Airport, Terrace-Kitimat – Runway 15 Omnidirectional Approach Lights Replacement – $108,599
Tofino-Long Beach Airport – to purchase a loader – $533,631
The runway improvements in Bella Bella include the removal of rock and terrain that intrude into the takeoff and landing airspace, which is especially important should there be a runway excursion. The equipment in Campbell River, Nanaimo, Quesnel, and Tofino-Long Beach will be used in maintaining aircraft movement surfaces and for the removal and control of ice and snow from airside surfaces such as runways, taxiways and the apron.
The taxiway expansion project in Castlegar will allow for more space between aircraft, resulting in greater efficiency and safety when more than one aircraft is present. Multiple aircraft activity can occur in situations during aerial fire suppression activities directed by the provincial Forestry Air Tanker Base located in Castlegar, allowing the tankers to land and refill their water supply more quickly.
The replacement of omni-directional approach lights with LED in Terrace-Kitimat will result in brighter lights and cost savings. The rehabilitation of Apron 1 in Kamloops will repair or replace selected panels, with subsurface improvements for the concrete areas, and mill/pave of 100 mm for the asphalt areas.
Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) provides federal funding to help eligible airports finance capital projects that will help them maintain safety.
Source: Transport Canada
