THE new terminal at Orange Airport will be able to seat 284 people, more than four times the capacity of its 1960’s era precursor which was only able to seat about 50 passengers waiting to board a plane.
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Orange mayor John Davis and Aerodrome Committee chair councillor Chris Gryllis were thrilled with the progress of the $3.3 million building which they say is on schedule and on budget and will be completed by June, weather permitting.
“This should be able to accommodate Orange for the next 30 to 50 years,” Cr Gryllis said.
In the next two weeks the steel framework of the curve-roofed terminal will be lifted into place with a crane, aerodrome expansion project manager Wayne Harris from Upright Management said.
“We’re starting that now and that will flow into the roofing and the external cladding,” he said.
“All the in-ground services are done, the stormwater and sewer, the concrete slab has been poured and the tapered concrete columns have been poured.
“It’s been designed to accommodate any future requirement for [passenger] scanning.”
The overall $18.9 million airport upgrade is also on schedule and budget and is expected to be finished by the second half of the year.
So far the gas pipeline has been relocated and work to realign Huntley Road and Aerodrome Road has begun. Aerodrome Road will be finished in a month and Huntley Road in two months.
Grass and topsoil have also been removed to make way for the 500 metre runway extension.
Mr Harris said many components of the terminal had been ordered, including the electrical switchboard and glass shop fronts, and were being built off site so they can be quickly pieced together on site.
“We’re progressing in accordance with the original plan so far,” he said.
Cr Gryllis said using the Max Hazelton Aero Centre may be causing minor inconvenience, but council had received no complaints.
Cr Davis said it was a win-win for the council and the Aero Club.
Three new traffic lanes will be created in front of the terminal after it is built, a taxi lane, drive-through lane, and drop-off and pick-up area.