Expansion Of Semarang Airport Delayed Over Re-Design

Semarang, C Java, Aug 26 (Antara) - Work to expand the Ahmad Yani International Airport of Semarang has been delayed over the need to redesign a number of parts of the project. "There are parts that need to be reevaluated in the first package especially in the land filling for parking area and access road that work could start only in one or three weeks to come," said Priyo Jatmiko General, a Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I, the state owned airport operator, here, Monday. Redesigning is necessary technically because of addition of work in construction to improve the quality, Priyo said. "Re-design is part of re-evaluation by the consultant before physical work begins starts," he said. He estimated that the first phase of work to expand the international airport would be completed in 5-6 months. "After the completion of the first phase, work will continue for the second phase, now in the process of tender," he added. Ground breaking to mark the official agreement to expand the airport took place in mid June 2014 after a long process. General Affairs and Communication Section Head of PT Angkasa Pura I Anom Fitrianggono said expansion of the Ahmad Yani International airport would cost around Rp1.14 trillion to be carried out in phases . "The first phase is land filling and construction of access road and parking area to cost Rp272 billion," Anom said. The second phase would include construction of the airport terminal and supporting facilities to cost Rp605 billion . The third phase would include work to build supporting facilities and landscape to cost Rp98 billion and last and fourth phase is to build the apron and taxi way to cost Rp120.5 billion. Implementation of the airport became clear only after a letter issued by the finance ministry confirming fund for the project on 21 February 2014. There was change in the expansion proposal. Originally the project was to use 67 hectares of land owned by the air force but later expansion was proposed with additional 20 hectares. Currently construction of an alternative access road to the airport crossing the Siangker river to the new parking place and terminal has reached the final phase.