The Civil Engineering Contractor February 2019 | Page 13

INFRA AFRICA three years in terms of getting the authorisation for these projects from our regulator, so there’s a bit of catch-up to do. Most of the capacity projects are in Cape Town and OR Tambo largely, with the rest being at King Shaka and the smaller airports. “We also look at air traffic movements, OR Tambo International Airport Per airport, we’re looking at OR Tambo OR Tambo will be redeveloped to increase aircraft parking facilities at a cost of R2-billion and Terminal A arrival facilities will be expanded at a cost of about R1-billion. Plans are also under way to develop the airport’s western precinct and midfield cargo terminal to accommodate growing demand. The estimated cost for this amounts to about R2-billion. “OR Tambo is being upgraded with the building of a near- term bypass taxiway, which is to allow for easier movement on the airside, and an RTE (rapid exit taxiway), which allows better utilisation of the runway by increasing the number of movements from 30 an hour to 45, even 50 movements an hour. It means an aircraft doesn’t have to slow down — it can exit at a much higher speed, so the runaway occupation time is much less. This represents a R392-million project,” said Gopal. Remote apron stands will be built so Airbus A380s can use the airport. There will also be the addition of more baggage carousels in Terminal A, as well as space for passengers awaiting bus transfers to the main terminals, in phase 1 and 2 which will commence shortly and should be completed by October 2020. Construction will start in 2021/22 to reposition the current terminal facilities to a location between the two runways on the northern side. It will be a 15-million passenger terminal, together with some roads — or roughly the same size as the present Cape Town terminal. “Most of these projects are currently at the planning and design stage.” Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) The construction programme for CTIA includes a realigned runway — moving it by about 200m to the east and turning which is forecast to grow over the period from 400 000 to just over 450 000. growing from 200 000 to about 250 000; Cape Town from 80 000 to 100 000; and King Shaka a bit less.” it by 11 degrees. The main point of this project is to create capacity between the terminal buildings and the current runway to allow for both apron and terminal expansion. This key project will be under way for some time, said Gopal, at a cost of R3.8-billion. Preliminary work began as far back as 2008, but the bulk of the project didn’t start until July 2017. Work on the runway is expected to conclude in 2021. CTIA will also get a new domestic arrivals terminal to the value of R690-million, aimed at shortening the distance passengers have to walk to the terminal after parking their cars. The Terminal 2 development will involve constructing a section between the current check-in area and current departure area. There are two apron developments at a cost of R775-million. “Most of these projects are going out to tender in 2019.” Finally, the international departures lounge and boarding gates are set for expansion and are also going out to tender in 2019. The redevelopment will increase capacity, strengthen security, and enhance retail, commercial, and passenger lounge facilities. “CTIA is going to be a construction site for the next three to five years,” said Gopal. Cape Town International Airport has the biggest share of Acsa’s capital expenditure programme for the next five years. www.civilsonline.co.za CEC February 2019 | 11