Together with the then
Commissioner of Aviation Affairs, Mrs. Sarah Wescott-Williams
and Chairman of PJIAE’s Board of Director Mr. Miguel Alexander,
drs. Holiday performed the symbolic “breaking of the ground”
which signalled the start of the project.
Continuously aiming at improvement, PJIAE on Friday May 29th 2009 hosted
the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Airport Boulevard. “The road and
car park works represent yet another step in the development of St.
Maarten’s Airport. This project will reduce traffic congestion, thus
reducing the loss of valuable productive time and reducing the chances
of people missing flights,” PJIAE President drs. Eugene Holiday said at
the groundbreaking ceremony.
CONCERNS
Mr. Holiday also voiced concerns about the continued construction around
the airport. He said that the efforts PJIAE continues to make to
optimize the effective use of the airport will only be successful if the
limited availability of land is overcome. The PJIAE President said that
the continued construction around the airport is a concern from an
airport and island wide developmental perspective. “It is a national
imperative to address this concern,” he said.
UPGRADE
The Airport Boulevard improvement works that were kicked off on May 29th
will result in a modified and rerouted road network. When the
construction is completed, traffic coming from the direction of the
WINAIR offices will be routed through a roundabout at the location where
the entrance to the public car park is currently situated; From that
point the new road will continue along the Simpson Bay lagoon flowing
along the eastern and northern shoreline and then curve to the south
following the perimeters of the public car park to the west; At the
front of the Terminal building the new road will connect with the
existing airport road.
Noteworthy is that the current Airport Boulevard is not as what was
initially envisioned in the original Airport Masterplan (which also
included the new terminal building). Due to real estate development
plans in the area the original master plan for the road network was no
longer feasible, so Airport Management developed a new road plan.
The new plan aimed at securing and enhancing adequate traffic flow
to/from the airport and airport parking; Relinquishing the pedestrian
crossing over the main road; Increasing the car parking capacity from
313 to 383 parking locations; and maintaining the possibility of future
airport development in line with the master plan.
Besides the construction of the new roundabout and the expansion of the
public parking lot, the work also entails the relocation of the entrance
of the public parking lot closer to the terminal equipped with double
barrier at the exit; the relocation of the car park ticket office with
an additional pay machine; the installation of a separate entrance and
space for authorized car rentals; and the upgrading of the irrigation
system for the landscaping.
Contractors MNO Vervat and Windward Road bidded to carry out the works;
after careful consideration of both proposals MNO Vervat was selected to
carry out the project that represents
a US $2 million investment.
STIMULUS
Drs Holiday said that most gains out of the project, which the airport
funds from its own coffers, will be long-term. He also forecast that the
project will create direct and indirect employment.
Drs. Holiday also urged contractor MNO-Vervat St. Maarten to finish the
project as soon as possible, hopefully well within the estimated eight
months, also taking into consideration the upcoming high tourist season
begins again in December. “The project also serves as an important
stimulus from a broader developmental perspective,” he said.
Together with Commissioner of Aviation Affairs Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams,
drs. Holiday performed the symbolic “breaking of the ground” which
signalled the start of the project.
