Airport renovation work is set to continue on Solovetskie Islands

The nature of the Solovetskie Islands

Airport hub renovation project was launched by STG JSC in May 2019. Currently, STG carries out the work under Stage 3 of the airport reconstruction project on the Solovetsky Islands archipelago. Within Stage 3 STG will complete the construction of the remaining runway section, install navigation lighting and weather equipment, build storage facilities for machines and equipment, an access control point and a patrol road.

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)."

Visual representation of the future airport system

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.

First Flight Landing on Renewed Runway at Solovki

The 1st and 2nd stages of the project were completed by STG on November 29, 2019. The airstrip was renovated and re-paved with 961,6 m out of 1,500m commissioned. The commissioned new runway will give impetus to a dynamic growth of air links not only between the archipelago and Arkhangelsk, but also with other parts of the country.

Runway strip

Runway paving

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 the year, that is why at this point in time, active work is being underway at the construction site.

Currently, work is near completion on the construction of a 540.9 m-long runway under Stage 3 of construction. Runway base course and installation of PAG-14 (air field slabs), numbering 1710 pcs (basic runway surfacing) is completed. Work on patrol road groundwork base, 500 m-long has also been completed for further upfilling with sand-gravel mixture.

Airfield surface levelling. Vegetable ground and topsoil layer placement

Work is being carried out in parallel involving levelling of the airfield landing strip, placement of a 150 mm-thick vegetable ground and topsoil layer, a patrol road construction, cable laying for lighting facilities, installation of cable man-holes, loading and transportation of metal slabs to the port, dismantled from the landing strip.

Patrol road construction

Patrol road

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 only to 50 passengers per hour.

Currently the project employs 123 specialists and 34 pieces of equipment.

Project completion is scheduled for Q4 2020.