Study investigates split in air traffic
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Feb 02/01) - The territorial government is undertaking a $70,000 airport development plan in Fort Simpson, and the issue of the two existing runways in the community has already arisen.
Although the study in the preliminary stages, it's become obvious the two runways in Fort Simpson -- one at the Department of Transportation airport, the other operated privately in-town -- pose a conflict, says Paul Guy, manager of buildings and planning for the Department of Transportation's airports division.
"That's a big issue for the main airport because it's taking the majority of traffic away from it," he explained. "The viability of the airport has to be looked at... if nobody's using it, is it something we should keep supporting?"
Guy said the GNWT and its consultants on the study are delving into that issue in consultation with the community. The Yellowknife engineering/architectural firm of Ferguson, Simek, Clark and LPS Aviation, of Ottawa, have been contracted to assist with the airport development plan.
The study is designed to evaluate the airport's capacity, the runway and the terminal building.
"It's sort of a planning study that lays out what the requirements are for the airport over the next 20 years," said Guy. "There are some opportunities for development at the airport, but they are probably being sort of stifled by the activity of the in-town airport... and the helicopters off the airport."
On the other hand, the GNWT is aware of the interest in oil and gas within the Deh Cho region and the consequent increase in air traffic that would result if development proceeds, he noted.
Renovations to the terminal building in Fort Simpson is one of the projects already identified, according to Guy. With NAV Canada's move to switch from flight services specialists to observer/communicators, there is less space required in that portion of the building, he explained. The area could be used to increase the waiting area for passengers, he said. The renovations would likely run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, he estimated.
Guy said the GNWT endeavour to complete one or two airport development plans in the NWT every year. He expects that the Fort Simpson airport development plan will be complete by June or July.
The last study done in Fort Simpson was in 1986 when Transport Canada was been responsible for the airport.
