FUNDS RELEASED FOR NEW INTERISLAND MAINTENANCE FACILITY

(By Wendy OSHER © 2009)

More than $17 million in construction funds was released by the Governor’s office today to complete site preparations for the new interisland maintenance facility at Honolulu International (HNL) Airport.

The new site will be located on undeveloped land west of Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Station No. 1. Site preparation includes the construction of four new aircraft aprons, which can accommodate up to four wide-body aircraft or eight narrow-body aircraft, a utility building, high-mast lighting, airfield drainage, signage, a hydrant fueling system and a graded site for the new interisland maintenance hangar.

Once complete, the new facility will replace the existing interisland hangar. The state plans to demolish the existing hangar to allow for the planned widening and realignment of two Taxiways, and the expansion and modernization of the `Ewa Concourse. The widening of these taxiways will in turn allow Hawaiian Airlines to consolidate the operation of its aircraft to arrive and depart from the Interisland Terminal.

The total project cost is estimated to be $43.9 million, which includes previous allotments of $26.7 million. Site preparation is ongoing and scheduled to be completed in April 2010.

The new interisland hangar will be built as part of a separate project scheduled to start in May 2010.

This airport maintenance facility project is part of the $1.87 billion public infrastructure construction plan unveiled by Governor Lingle in December to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Progress of all 1,521 projects can be tracked on the Governor’s website at www.hawaii.gov/cip.

Graphic image of new Interisland Maintenance Facility Courtesy: Hawaii State Department of Transportation