Renovation of the airport on the Solovetsky Archipelago is set to continue

Visual representation of the future airport system (the photo is sourced from: pravdasevera.ru)

JSC STG continues the work on the renovation of the airport on the Solovetsky Archipelago. The customer is the State Public Institution of the Arkhangelsk region “The Main Directorate for Capital Construction ”. The project is being implemented within the scope of the government program “The Solovetsky Archipelago infrastructure development (2014 - 2021)."

The renovation of the airport on Solovetskie Islands is considered to be one of the most important and large-scale projects, implemented within the scope of the investment program of the regional government. The airport renovation design concepts meet the requirements of UNESCO which supervises the progress of the airport renovation at the World Heritage Site. This status was assigned to Solovetskie Islands in 1992. There is a diverse plant and animal life, that is why the construction site is often visited by unusual guests. The works are being carried out taking into account these specifics in order not to disturb the local flora and fauna.

The nature of the Solovetskie Islands

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 Solovetsky State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve. Prior to the commencement by STG of the renovation project, the airport passenger terminal represented a three-storey wooden building and had only one runway 1,500 m long. As a result of extended operation, the existing runway pavement has been in a critical condition and its further operation posed risks to the safety of air passengers.

Foundation reinforcement for equipment shelter

The 1st and 2nd stages of the project were completed on November 29, 2019. The airstrip was renovated and re-paved with 991m out of 1,500m commissioned. A new taxiway and apron for 4 aircraft with a de-icing treatment area were built. Joints were constructed between PAG-14 RC airfield slabs which were used to build the runway, taxiway and a 4-aircraft apron. Markings were applied to the pavement. Lighting poles, utilities and new transformer substations, on-site communication systems and on-site 6kV power supply networks were completely installed. Flight safety lighting systems were installed.

Construction of foundation for approach lights

Because of specifics of the geographical location and local soils, construction of the airport facilities can only be carried out at stable positive ambient air temperatures in the spring and summer time of year, that is why the work was temporarily suspended in the winter.

Currently, the work is underway on the installation of perimeter fencing - 50% of the total scope has been completed, the manufacture and installation of foundations for weather equipment and lighting facilities, the installation of reinforced concrete foundations for equipment shelters (comprising lighting and weather equipment systems), the installation of foundations for bioacoustic systems for ornithological flight support and conservation of ornithologic fauna (a totality of birds inhabiting a certain territory or occurring at any space of time). In parallel, subgrading is being carried out for the artificial runway, the construction of which is scheduled for the summer of 2020.

Furthermore, the specialists of Stroytransgaz JSC conduct daily monitoring of utility systems, responsible for the removal of water from the built runway and apron.

Reinforcement of the drainage ditch with gabions*
(*gabion is a structure made of durable mesh and filled with natural or artificial stones)

17 units of equipment are involved in the works (as soon as navigation is open, 34 units of equipment will be put in operation). The main part of the fleet of vehicles is fitted with telematic equipment  – a monitoring system that allows to remotely keep trace of the movement and location of vehicles, control their operation, and timely identify violations. The necessary materials and equipment are delivered to the construction site by water.

The renovation of the airport will enable to significantly improve the runway performance so that the airport could handle modern heavier aircraft, ensure the required level of passenger safety and double its throughput capacity. Earlier the airport could provide services to only 50 passengers per hour.

Completion is scheduled for Q4 2020.

Pumping-plant intake