Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, first of all, all airports in the North are legal size, therefore they are all certified by Transport Canada. Most of them are. I just want to clarify that. Secondly, all paved surfaces deteriorate over time from heavy use. The surfaces then eventually become unsafe for aircraft operations. The life expectancy of a paved airstrip surface is about 20 to 25 years. There was an overlay in Fort Smith in 1984. There are a lot of cracks created in this airport and defects that are very visible in the airstrip pavement in the Fort Smith airport. A routine check, by filling and patching these cracks, can no longer guarantee a safe runway surface. Therefore, a full overlay must be completed for safety reasons. I believe this particular project has been delayed in previous years, the department informed me, and it was determined that the best course of action to take, at this time, is not to have this airport deteriorate any further and to go ahead and do the overlay project. As a result of that, the decision was made to go ahead with this project. I know there is concern that there are quite a few communities that have been requesting their airstrips be lengthened, and we are putting in lights where they are required. As a result, the airports that are functioning in the north, if they are certified, that is because they are of legal size. Thank you.
Jim Antoine on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 14th, 1997. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 13th, 1997
Page 652
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
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