Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a Return to Oral Question for Mr. Antoine, Minister of Transportation, on the Broughton Island Airstrip. On Monday, October 15, 1996 the Member from Baffin Central asked him about the condition of the Broughton Island Airport and the Department of Transportation's expenditures on its repair and maintenance.
The Member was correct in pointing out some of the physical deficiencies in the runway and lighting system at the Broughton Island Airport. I am pleased to report that this year, 1996, was the first of a four year program of extensive reconstruction at the airport. The project has been staged over several years to extend maximum opportunities for local involvement and employment.
This is the first year of the project involving crushing a 20,000 cubic metre supply of gravel for the job and relocating the access road to meet Transport Canada's zoning regulations. The Department has entered into a $380,000, two year, full authority, contribution agreement with the Hamlet for road construction.
Next year, 1997/98, the Department plans to begin runway reconstruction. Again, the purpose is to bring the airport up to meet Transport Canada standards and involves adding pre-threshold landing areas and widening of the runway. The Department has not yet completed the final design work, but an estimate of the project expenditures over two years is approximately $1.5 million.
The Member mentioned in his question that the airport is very close to the ocean and exposed to wind and spray. Indeed, the reconstruction plans call for the placing of armour rock on the apron embankments as protection from the waves in stormy weather.
The existing runway lighting is twenty years old and due for replacement. Once the earthwork at the airport is finished, the Department has scheduled the installation of new runway lighting in 1999/2000 at an estimated cost of $580,000.
From start to finish, the reconstruction of the Broughton Island Airport will cost roughly $2 million and bring the airport fully in line with Transport Canada's airport safety standards.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.