Local subcontractors play massive role in new airport terminal
Jonathan Kent
Bermuda’s new airport terminal will be a facility for the island to be proud of when it opens in the coming months. While the general contractor for the $250 million project is Aecon of Canada, dozens of Bermudian subcontractors have played a massive supporting role in getting the job done to the highest standards.
The quality of the work product produced in the new terminal building is as good as we see anywhere in Canada.
The project would have been right on schedule for a midsummer construction completion, had the Covid-19 pandemic not intervened. Shelter-in-place restrictions kept workers off the site for a month and measures to combat the spread of the virus, such as physical distancing, enhanced hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment, have added extra challenges since.
Conor Smyth, Aecon’s project director, said: “The contribution by the local construction community has been extensive and very well received with over 200 Bermudian subcontractors and suppliers participating in all construction operations.
“Perhaps the most significant aspect has been the engagement to the Aecon Safety Programme which has resulted in a tremendous safety record throughout the project. All contractors have carried out daily risk assessments and tool box talks and have made a significant contribution to an increased safety culture.”
Mr Smyth was impressed by high standards of the local firms.
“The quality of the work product produced in the new terminal building is as good as we see anywhere in Canada,” Mr Smyth said. It should be noted that the works are designed to the highest international standards and the execution has been constantly verified by Independent consultants all of which has passed with flying colours.
The construction pace has remained on schedule since we broke ground in April 2017 and was well on the way to achieving substantial completion prior to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Below are some examples of the work done by local companies.
- Brunel, a consulting engineering firm, provided input into all aspects of the design relating to wind loading and other environmental impacts, as well as preparing inspection reports.
- IAL, an electrical engineering consultancy, co-ordinated with the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, on the design of the fire alarm system, and was also responsible for finalising the design of ground and lighting systems.
- Architectural and landscape design firm OBMI was the principal liaison on site between the design and construction teams and ensured all conditions of the planning permissions were adhered to.
- Onsite Engineering, a specialist mechanical engineering firm, was responsible for providing the design of the groundwater heat-rejection system.
- Bermudian firms who carried out surveying services included Q-Ship Enterprises and Bermuda Caribbean Engineering Consultants.
- Leggo Scaffolding and Bermuda Scaffolding dealt with scaffold supply and erection. SAL Trading was contracted to supply and pour the concrete.
- Bermuda Security Services won a locksmith contract, while Security Associates and Universal Security provided on-site security.
- Atlantic Waterworks was responsible for borehole drilling and the terminal’s drinking water supply.
- Several companies provided painting services, including International Painting Contractors, who painted the structural steel, Matthias Pro Contractors, who painted the baggage handling areas, and Primework Property Services, who carried out miscellaneous painting work.
- Correia Construction trucked gravel, transported and drove piles, installed masonry blockwork and concrete walls, built the concrete tank for the waste water treatment plant and installed some sidewalks and curbs.
- D&J Excavation dealt with earthworks, preparing the site and the access roads and excavating the foundations for the passenger terminal. D&J Construction was awarded a stucco wall treatment contract for ancillary buildings including the gatehouse, concessions building, and water feature, as well as being responsible for the hard landscaping works. Sousa’s Landscape Management is doing the soft landscaping work.
- Crisson Construction worked on abstraction well marine works, while Rise and Shine Construction and Sealink Construction carried out reinforced concrete and masonry work. Solid Rock Construction was responsible for concrete placing, site-wide carpentry and millwork installation and Trident Rebar Installers placed reinforcing steel for the slab-on-grade.
- Barclay Construction built the site’s electrical substation, as well as carrying out reinforced concrete and masonry work. Gulf Stream Construction was contracted to complete work including formwork, concrete placing and finishing, and reinforcing work for the building’s foundation.
- Greymane Contracting worked on the installation of drywall and metal ceilings, in conjunction with Canadian firm Foursite Drywall.
- Eminence Contractors worked on floor tiling, granite and terrazzo flooring, and porcelain wall work, while Stafford Flooring dealt with carpet, vinyl and epoxy flooring work. Bermuda Brickyard carried out external block paving work.
Bermuda Aviation Services, supported on the project by BESCO, the CCS Group, and H&H Plumbing & Mechanical, provided site installation and support services to New Zealand firm Glidepath for the baggage-handling system.
BAC worked on plumbing installation and refrigeration systems, while CF Batson Swan provided plumbing services.
Keen worked on ventilation systems, while AirCare installed fire protection systems and SwitchWorx put in access control, intercom and CCTV. - Air-Pro worked on air conditioning, while electrical service work and installation was carried out by Keen Electrical, P&M Electric and Noesis. Keen Mechanical provided mechanical installation services.
- Kaissa conducted roofing work, as well as providing terrace pavers and washroom partitions. Bermuda Elevators installed the new terminal’s elevators and escalators. Alumiglass worked on the curtain wall glazing.
- Joe Vieira Trucking provided material and equipment haulage services, while Bright Brigade was the contracted commercial cleaner.
