One of the monitoring equipment that was placed underwater since February 2012. Photo: Kraus-Manning

Option six (bottom) of the runway expansion was shown to residents. Photo: VINO

Speaking to this news agency yesterday May 2, 2012, Tony Monaghan, Director for the Caribbean Operations of Kraus-Manning, disclosed that the equipment “will be pulled to the surface sometime next week which has pushed back the deadline for the EPA report to Government.”

A tentative deadline was set for April 14, 2012.

Several pieces of the equipment were placed underwater in February 2012 to catch the worse of winter swells in the surrounding areas of Well Bay, Trellis Bay and Long Bay to accurately determine the flow of sand and sediments of the surrounding islands and beaches.

According to Monaghan, on April 30, 2012, coastal engineers made the decision to leave the monitoring equipment for another week or so.

“After that they will use special computer software to generate accurate models of the likely impact on the surrounding areas,” he said.

In a previous interview with Virgin Islands News Online, the Kraus Manning Director had stated that if the data had been collected on April 30, a preliminary report was likely to be in the hands of Government officials by mid-May.

Airport expansion project
Two meetings were held in March 2012, where Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering announced that Government will be going ahead with the expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.

Residents were informed that Government was leaning towards option six, which will cost about $38M. With this option, the runway will be extended to some 7,000 feet from 4,000 plus feet, and accommodate AB 390, 320 and the Embrea 190.

It is also expected to reduce the environmental impact, which would save the salt pond and beaches in the area, reduce crosswinds, and accommodate code C and D aircrafts.

However, the disadvantages include higher weather minimums- meaning jets would have to use a height of about 1,290 feet and the runway must be visual, as well as the circling approach.

The concerns include future widening will have an environmental impact on Trellis Bay and the salt ponds.