The government is inviting Anguilla’s residents to comment on its plans to expand the runway at Clayton J Lloyd International Airport.
The proposed project would extend the 5,358 foot (1,633 metre) runway to 7,000ft (2,134m) to improve air connectivity in order to support the island’s long-term economic development.
The plans also include widening the existing runway, new airfield lighting, improvements to the taxiway system, extensions to safety areas around the runway and the relocation of Tanglewood Road.
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In a social media post on 2 September, the government said it is seeking public feedback to help inform an environmental impact assessment being prepared for the proposed expansion.
Residents are being encouraged to raise any environmental, traffic or drainage concerns they believe could arise from the project, as well as suggestions for reducing potential disruption.
The consultation is also intended to gather views on how the proposed expansion could affect residents, families, businesses, employment and the wider Anguillian community.
Comments can be submitted by email to eiarunwayfeedback@gov.ai until the end of September.
Contracted firm
Earlier in the summer, Canadian construction firm Aecon was issued an award letter for the extension of the runway.
The company, which partnered with Caribbean-based Kelly Construction on the newly opened airport terminal, was expected to sign a contract for the project in the subsequent weeks.
Infrastructure minister Jose Vanterpool gave the update on the public procurement process during a government press conference on 6 July.
At the time, he said the project’s preparation phase was likely to take place between July and September while construction would begin “towards the end of August or early September”.
Vanterpool also revealed that land to the east of the airport had been acquired through compulsory acquisition to allow the works to move forward.
Government land acquisition in Anguilla is governed by the Land Acquisition Act, which provides the legal framework for compulsory purchase of private land for public purposes.
Airport Masterplan
The newly opened terminal and extended runway are part of a multi-million-dollar project as envisioned in the former government’s Airport Masterplan 2022-2041.
The plan explained that lengthening the runway was required for current commercial airlines to operate with maximum loads and to allow Anguilla to attract new operators with larger aircraft.
It also meant the island would meet regulatory compliance and reduce its dependence on St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport as a connecting hub, the plan said.
According to the plan, the aim was to extend the runway to the east to 2,068.8m (6,789ft) – which equates to a 1,829m (6,000ft) take-off length – as well as widening it from 30m (98ft) to 45m (148ft).
This would allow it to accommodate the A220-300, EMB 175/190, A319 and similar aircraft up to about 120-seats, the plan said.
In the latest outline, the government describes the total length of the new runway as 7,000ft – 211ft longer than in the original plan.
