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RANKIN INLET - People making use of one of Nunavut's two busiest airports will soon see some noticeable improvements to the facility.

Work started at the Rankin Inlet airport this past week to have the runway, taxiway and apron resurfaced.

Kivalliq transportation programs officer for Nunavut Airports Jason Todd, front, and acting transportation programs manager Emil Eyford saw work begin this past week on the first major runway resurfacing project in Rankin Inlet since 1993. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The multi-million-dollar project will also extend the apron and pave the airport parking lot.

The vast majority of funding for the project is coming from the Airports Capital Assistance Program and Nunavut Airports.

Kivalliq transportation programs officer Jason Todd said the 6,000-foot runway was paved for the first time in 1993.

"Its lifespan is, basically, up and we've been dealing with ongoing problems with cracking," said Todd.

"Once we resurface the runway, it should last us another 10 to 15 years."

The Rankin airport is recognized as Nunavut's transportation hub.

With the additional flights of exploration now taking place, the airport deals with 60 to 80 flights during a normal day of operation.

On a busy day, that number climbs well over 100.

The project began on July 25 with Phase One - preparing the grounds around the runway and doing some trenching and diking.

Todd said runway, taxiway and apron resurfacing is scheduled to be completed between Aug. 4 to 11, barring any unforeseen weather delays.

"The work will be done between 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., so, hopefully, it won't impact any regularly scheduled flights," he said.

"It may impact some mining-exploration flights and some of the cargo planes.

"The only exceptions will be medevacs and emergency landings.

"The work crew will pave the runaway lengthwise, in strips, so there will be no reduction in the overall surface area during the day."

Passengers will find the runway smoother when the project is complete, and the apron will be able to accommodate more planes.

Todd said helipads are also being installed.

"We've been doing crack filling and stuff like that every year, so this project will reduce that cost for us, as well as the number of man hours put in on the runway and the wear and tear on aircraft."

Acting transportation programs manager Emil Eyford said there will also be some improvements done to the existing asphalt at the site, as well as modifications to its drainage system.

"The Department of National Defence is paying part of the bill with us for that part of the project," said Eyford.

"I'm sure passengers in Rankin will also be happy to finally be able to use luggage carts and not have to carry their luggage out on their backs to their vehicles anymore.

"Although we've already seen some problems with kids and vandalism with the carts."