Airport Improvement Projects

Airport Projects Update - March, 2024

YPW Runway Rehabilitation Project

The existing runway pavement is almost 40 years old and rehabilitation and re-profiling is required to meet the latest TP312-5th Aerodrome Standards. Works planned will include pavement rehabilitation, correcting the longitudinal slope to a maximum of 1.50%, improving the transverse slopes and centreline crown to improve drainage and reduce ponding, new lighting and visual aids, and runway extension.

We acknowledge that this project will impact our community, businesses and visitors and thank you for your patience as we improve this important and critical transportation asset for our community.

We will continue to update this webpage with information throughout the Project.

Current timeline - updated March 19, 2024

Late January 2024 – the final design for the project was received and a request for proposals for a contractor to deliver the final design specifications went live at the end of January 2024.
The tender process ended March 5, 2024 at 2pm.
The tenders have been reviewed and at the Special Council Meeting on Thursday March 14 at 2:30pm Council awarded the tender contract to Upland Contracting Ltd. in the amount of $6,304,598 plus GST. This amount is $1,420,929 under the grant funding available for the project’s construction and therefore, the project currently has some contingency funding should unexpected construction costs arise.
The schedule for the works is anticipated between late March - June 15 2024.
A full closure of the airport runway is required for an uninterrupted period limited to a maximum of 8 weeks starting April 8, 2024.
Currently no flights will be scheduled to or from the Powell River Airport from April 8, 2024 to June 9, 2024, inclusive.

Please continue to check this page for project updates.

Reasons for timing

Funding – The City was awarded funding for this project which could be at risk if the runway rehabilitation project is not completed this year.
Design – Several factors impacted the design process reaching completion which resulted in a longer design process than had been envisaged. The City had to wait for the completed design to be provided before it could start the tender process to secure a contractor to complete the works with in the design specifications.
Avoid peak travel season – A full closure would always create disruption to travel, however the aim is to avoid peak travel period for both our community and Pacific Coastal Airlines by completing the full closure portion of the project before the Summer.
Daylight hours - By starting in March there will be more daylight hours available during the project as well as when the runway reopens should there be project delays.

Reasons for full closure rather than partial closure

Safety – the relatively short runway and slope present challenges if displacing thresholds and shortening available runway to accommodate flights during construction.
Efficiency – it is more efficient way to complete the project resulting in faster construction period (less downtime) and lower labour costs by avoiding night work.
Methodology – asphalt pulverization and building up the base to adjust the runway's longitudinal slope provides complications for opening the runway during construction process – partial closure provides significant safety, cost and logistical challenges.

What alternatives are available during the full runway closure?

Floatplane service out of the Powell Lake water drome will continue uninterrupted.
Helicopter Services – this includes (without limitation) BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), Oceanview Helicopters, Ministry of Forestry.
BC Ferries
Comox Airport

Airport Projects Update - July 7, 2023

On June 29, 2023, the de-stumping work next to the Powell River Airport was completed. In the next phase, the City intends to remove the remaining slash material and woodchip piles, as well as re-profile the area to create leasable land. This portion of the project will be tendered in the near future.

Airport Projects Update - October 19, 2022

Runway Rehabilitation and Extension

The City was successful in receiving a grant in the amount of $8,025,527 from the Transport Canada Airports Capital Assistance Program. Powell River is one of eight BC communities to receive funding for safe airport operations for passengers, crews and airport workers.

Airport Projects Update - August, 2022

Obstacle removal

Removal and topping of trees south and east of the airport runway is complete. Chipping of the remaining woody debris, tops and limbs, along the roads and timber edges was completed in July.

We continue engaging with BC Hydro technologists and engineers on work required to address hydro poles that are within the airspace associated with the airport runway and we hope to see that work completed in 2022.

Proceeds from the project will be deposited into the City Buildings and Infrastructure Reserve, the purpose of which is to maintain municipal buildings and infrastructure, including the airport. Funds from the reserve would then be available as a possible source to further support the projects outlined below.

Landfill capping and closure

Design and tender documents are being reassessed, with tendering anticipated the fall of 2022. We will be working closely with local air carriers to minimize the impact to their schedule and operations.

BACKGROUND:

Council approved and adopted the Powell River Airport Master Plan 2020-2045 on January 21, 2021. The plan identified several key investments required to meet strategic planning, technical and regulatory requirements. In particular, projects must be completed to ensure compliance with the latest Transport Canada TP312-5^th Edition Aerodrome Standards and Recommended Practices. Three projects were identified in the plan as priority level 1 in terms of strategic importance:

Obstacle limitation surface (OLS) survey and removal of obstacles (hydro poles and harvesting of trees penetrating the OLS
Landfill capping and closure at the east end of the runway
Runway rehabilitation and extension

PROJECTS

Obstacle removal (2021-2023)

The City is working towards compliance with obstacle limitation surface (OLS) standards in the Transport Canada TP312-5^th Edition Aerodrome Standards and Recommended Practices. OLS standards define the limit to which objects may project into the airspace associated with an airport. Obstacles in the runway environment limit approach minimum descent altitudes and limit load factors for flights. In order that the runway environment and OLS meet TP312-5^th Edition Standards, hydro pole and tree removal is required to ensure the runway safety area, the runway strip and OLS are not penetrated by obstacles. Surveys were completed to accurately identify all the objects and trees that are penetrating the OLS. Removal of obstacles is planned for December 2021 through 2023.

Removal and topping of trees on City property south and east of the airport runway was completed in July 2022. All the regulatory requirements, permits and assessments were completed, including licenses from the Province, and riparian, bird, traditional use and harvesting assessments. Removal and/or relocation of hydro poles is being coordinated with BC Hydro and removal or topping of trees that are obstacles on property under tenure or owned by others will be coordinated with those property owners. Engagement and notification with adjacent property owners was completed prior to operations starting.

The estimated costs for meeting the obstacle limitation surface standards are difficult to quantify given the complexities of tree removal on City property, negotiating and coordinating for the removal or topping of trees that are obstacles on property under tenure or owned by others, and working with BC Hydro to removal hydro poles. The costs will be refined further as the various elements of the obstacle removal are planned and implemented. Some revenue is expected from operations to remove trees on City property although that revenue will likely be required to remove obstacles on other property and works that may be required concurrent with the landfill capping and closure.

Landfill capping and closure (Autumn 2022- Summer 2023)

A former landfill at the east end of the runway requires closure to meet regulatory requirements and enable the extension of the runway. Closure will consist of capping with engineered materials and a membrane to provide a barrier between the landfill and the surrounding environment. Following the landfill closure, the land elevation will be lifted to enable a future runway pavement and strip extension to the east resulting in an estimated increase in runway length to approximately 1,234 m and an improved runway strip end providing an additional 60 m past the end of the extended runway pavement end.

Works will be coordinated with agencies and companies to minimize disruptions to airport operations and impacts to the community.

The estimated project cost for the landfill capping and closure is approximately $2.4M, with $1M in funding provided from the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) and $700K from the Powell River Community Forest Reserve Fund. The remaining $700K is tentatively planned to come from short-term borrowing.

Runway Rehabilitation and Extension (2022-2023)

The existing runway pavement is almost 40 years old and rehabilitation and re-profiling is required to meet the latest TP312-5^th Aerodrome Standards. Works planned will include pavement rehabilitation, correcting the longitudinal slope to a maximum of 1.50%, improving the transverse slopes and centreline crown to improve drainage and reduce ponding, new lighting and visual aids, and runway extension.

An application for Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) funding for the above works was approved in October 2022. The Transport Canada ACAP provides 100% funding for local and regional airport rehabilitation projects deemed necessary to meet federal certification and safety standards. Design and tendering are tentatively planned for late 2022 / early 2023 with construction in early 2023 at the earliest although this could be delayed until 2023-2024 depending on priority setting for projects by Transport Canada. Significant disruption to airport operations and extended runway closures can be expected during construction. However, engagement with agencies and companies has already begun to ensure disruptions are mitigated and service to community is accommodated to the extent possible.

The preliminary project cost estimate for the runway rehabilitation and extension is approximately $8,025,527 with 100% of the funding provided by ACAP. The cost estimate includes general construction, civil and electrical works as well as engineering and construction administration and a 10% contingency.