International airport project surges forward with rapid progress, Dominican PM says

Dominica’s ambitious international airport project has surged ahead with remarkable progress: the clearing of an expansive 500-acre site and the construction of vital roads crucial for connectivity are now complete.

Accompanying these achievements are the final touches on several soil disposal sites, marking pivotal milestones in the island’s infrastructural development.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit shared this update during a press briefing this week regarding Dominica’s airport project, according to a report by Dominica News Online.

“Mobilization is about 99 percent advanced with the completion of accommodation, offices, workshops, storage facilities, utilities, and the concrete mixing plant,” he noted.

Skerrit also highlighted the arrival of construction equipment earlier this year as a significant step.

“We’re moving into a phase concentrating on runway development, starting the construction of the primary runway for both takeoff and landing,” Skerrit said.

He also highlighted the crucial aspect of managing water and waterways within the project site, mentioning the identification of more than five major culverts to ensure safe handling.

Skerrit emphasized that significant revisions to the terminal building’s design have been carried out. He mentioned that these updates were prompted by feedback received during review sessions conducted in collaboration with the International Air Transport Association and American Airlines.

The primary modifications aim to enhance apron parking capacity and flexibility, while adjustments within the terminal aim to expand the gate seating area in the departure lounge. These changes aim to enhance the overall passenger experience for both arriving and departing travelers.

A contract worth one billion dollars was officially signed on June 9, 2021, at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium between the Government of Dominica and MMC Development Ltd., marking the official start of the construction of this eagerly awaited international airport.

MMC Development Ltd. is also responsible for the thousands of climate-resilient residential units built for the Dominicans whi were affected by Typhoon Erika in 2015 and Hurricane Maria in 2017.