Cork Airport has awarded the main construction contract for the rebuilding of the airport’s main runway to Colas Limited, part of the International Colas Group, a leader in the field in the design, maintenance and construction of transport infrastructure.
Colas has extensive airport construction experience with similar runway reconstruction projects completed across the world.
Around 250 construction and supply jobs will be created onsite during the project, including a number of local specialist sub-contractor roles. Mobilisation and preparatory site works will begin at night immediately, without impacting the Summer flight schedule at the airport.
The main construction works will follow on a 24/7 basis over a 10-week period from September 13. Construction of the new runway will be completed by November 22 in advance of the busy Christmas travel period.
Over €40 million is being invested in Cork Airport between 2020-2022 to upgrade the critical infrastructure at the Airport of which the main runway reconstruction, a new Electrical Sub-Station and a new Hold Baggage Security screening system, constitute the major parts.
Colas was awarded the contract following an extensive EU tender process.
The project to reconstruct the main runway (16/34) is being supported by Government funding of €10 million from the Department of Transport, with the balance of the funding coming from Cork Airport’s parent company, daa plc, to complete the project.
Minister of State Naughton said: ‘‘This will be the single-biggest investment by any Government at Cork Airport and, when complete, it will serve as a key strategic asset for Cork and the entire region over the next 20 years.
“By closing the airport, this very significant project can be delivered in a quicker time, in a safer environment and with less long-term impacts on airlinesand passengers.
“Following the 10-week closure period, the airport will be in a position to reopen in good time for Christmas and will enable the airport to operate in an unrestricted way in 2022.”
Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport said: “We are delighted to award this significant runway reconstruction contract to Colas.
“This project forms part of a total investment and upgrade programme of €40 million between 2020 and 2022 so that the infrastructure at Cork Airport is positioned for recovery post COVID-19.
“The rebuilding of the main runway is the largest construction project to be undertaken at Cork Airport since the building of the new terminal 15 years ago. The construction programme includes a reconstruction of the main runway and the replacement of the airfield electrical systems, ducts and pits.”
Carl Fergusson CEO Colas Limited said: “We are delighted to be awarded the contract for the reconstruction of such a prestigious and high profile piece of Ireland’s national infrastructure.
“The scale of the project, from start to finish cannot be underestimated involving detailed planning and logistics – 3,000 truckloads of asphalt, 500 maintenance hole pits to be built, 140 kilometres of electrical cable and 60 kilometres of cable duct and drains to be laid.
“This is a major project, which has a time sensitive duration, and is essential to the economy of the South of Ireland.”
