Stages 1 and 2 under the Solovki airport renovation project are nearing completion

Pictured: meeting on the renovation of the Solovki airport (chaired by L. O. Stavitsky, the First Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation)

STG is completing Stages 1 and 2 under the airport renovation project on the Solovetsky Archipelago. Already this autumn, 960m of 1500 m runway, which was completely closed for renovation, will be commissioned.

This was the focus of the Solovki meeting chaired by Leonid Stavitsky, the First Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation, and attended by representatives of the Arkhangelsk region government, Rostechnadzor and Stroytransgaz as the general contractor on the project.

The renovation project was implemented on a tight schedule – the large amount of work had to be done during the warm season due to the limited time of sea navigation and specifics of the archipelago soil. The speed of construction was also noted by Leonid Stavitsky: “Thanks to the fast speed of construction, the project will be commissioned by the end of November.” 

Over 200 specialists and 40 units of equipment are currently working on at the project. Before the first section of the runway can be commissioned, the builders will have to finish a few tasks: install joints between PAG-14 reinforced concrete slabs used to build the runway, taxiway and an apron for 4 aircraft; build foundations and install the light towers; complete the installation of utilities, etc.

At stages 1 and 2, focus was placed on the waste treatment facilities. An airport is a facility that has large concreted areas which will be flooded if runoff is not diverted to the sewer. Besides, due to the facility specifics, the airport waste water contains a lot of chemical compounds, oil products, etc. and therefore the waste water treatment system must be as efficient as possible. Waste water from the Solovki airport will undergo multilevel treatment from filtration through oil/grit separators to UV neutralization to kill bacteria and viruses including spore-forming bacteria. These design concepts meet the requirements of UNESCO who supervises the progress of the airport renovation at the World Heritage Site. This status was assigned to Solovki in 1992.

At Stage 3 expected to start in 2020, STG will complete the construction of the remaining runway section, install navigation lighting and weather equipment, build storage facilities for machines and equipment, access control point, patrol road, etc.

Pictured: 961m section of the runway

About the Project

The airport complex, built more than 70 years ago, is in Big Solovetsky Island, 165 km to the south of the polar circle line. It is located near the Solovki State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve. The passenger terminal of the airport is a three-storey wooden building and has only one runway 1,500 m long. As a result of extended operation, the existing runway pavement is heavily worn and endangers the life of passengers if it remains in use.

The airport is currently classified D (Г) and can handle airplanes with a maximum takeoff weight of 30 tons such as An-2, An-24, An-28, L-410 and helicopters of all types. The renovation will significantly improve the runway so the airport will be able to handle modern heavier aircraft, and will double the airport throughput capacity and ensure the required level of passenger safety.

The airport renovation project is being implemented under the national program for the Solovetsky Archipelago infrastructure development. Completion is scheduled for Q4 2020.