Updates
January 2008 – The End is in Sight
Shortly after the opening of the new holdroom to the public scheduled for early March, the construction will come to a close. The major work is completed and the contractor is now focusing on the finishing work: painting, installing toilets and carpets, cleaning, training, etc.
A major component of the work that is often forgotten is the whole computer network, which is required to operate a building like ours. In fact, many systems are controlled remotely or on site by computers: magnetic doors, air-conditioning, smoke detectors, curtains, closed-circuit cameras, and heating, to name a few. All these systems have to be tested before we can open up to the public. The tests are done first for each unit, then as a network and finally in a traffic simulation situation. Also, the operators in charge of these devices must be fully trained in order to be ready for opening day. This rule is even more important for the security systems.
On the other side of the fence, our demolition contractor, Panzini, is back to tackle what remains of the old terminal. With the closing of gates 30 and 32, Panzini can now start demolition of the eastern portion of the old terminal. This demolition will take roughly two months. Once that portion is demolished, the operations will have to be transferred to the new waiting areas which will enable Panzini to continue the rest of the work. We are hopeful that the old terminal should be completely demolished by around late June. As mentioned in a previous article, this will then allow us to complete the work to rebuild the platform on the west side and then install the five loading bridges there.
The coming weeks will be very full, and everyone’s efforts will be needed to make the opening a success.