30/05/2005 - The first
stage of tenders has been called for equipment
to construct an ice runway in Antarctica.
Tenders are invited for the supply of runway
construction machinery near Casey station
as part of the new Australia-Antarctic air
link.
The Federal Government recently announced
funding for the project totalling $46.3
million over four years.
Australian Antarctic Division’s Air Transport
Manager Charlton Clark said this was the
first opportunity for businesses to compete
for equipment and services required to develop
the new Australia-Antarctica intercontinental
air link.
The equipment will be shipped to Antarctica
on the major resupply voyage to Casey station
in early January 2006.
“Feasibility studies, including runway
construction trials and environmental assessments
confirming the area’s suitability, have
already been undertaken and construction
work can now begin,” Mr Clark said.
“A team of six people operating in sub-zero
temperatures will ‘build’ the ice runway
over the next two Antarctic summers.”
The runway is sited on an area of flat
glacial ice over 500m thick about 70kms
from Casey station.
Construction will involve grading the ice
using laser-controlled equipment and then
using rollers to compact it with snow.
The new runway will allow flights using
a long-range jet aircraft between Hobart
in Tasmania and Casey station in Antarctica
during the summer months. The flights, expected
to take about five hours, will significantly
improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of Australia’s Antarctic Programme, which
is now reliant on sea transport to the frozen
continent.
“Work on the runway will move into full
swing this coming summer season in preparation
for trial flights scheduled to start in
2006–07 with a regular service due to start
in 2007-08,” Mr Clark said.
