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Puvirnituq airport renovations cleared for takeoff this summer

Resurfacing and stabilization work scheduled for Puvirnituq airport’s runway will go ahead this summer, Quebec’s Transportation Ministry has confirmed in a notice to airport users.

The work will be done in several phases, the Feb. 21 notice said, though the time each phase will require hasn’t been determined yet. The airport will remain open while renovations are underway, and work set for July and August is expected to have the biggest impact on airport services.

The renovations were previously scheduled to be done last summer but were postponed due to a need for more gravel testing. The total cost is estimated at $25 million to $50 million.

The work is part of a $90-million commitment from the Quebec government for Nunavik airports announced in April 2024.

Three other projects are also expected to be underway this summer, said Akin Akindele, Kativik Regional Government’s transportation director, Thursday during Kativik Regional Government’s council meeting.

The Salluit airport is expected to have parts of its fence replaced and receive repairs for the culverts under the runway.

Quaqtaq’s airport might also have runway resurfacing work done with guardrails installed on its access road.

Aupaluk is also expecting resurfacing at its airport as well as repairs to fence sections, additional precision approach path indicators, a new runway exit sign and repairs to the transit house.

Akindele said those projects still need to be confirmed by the Transportation Ministry.

He also announced that terms of reference to develop a master plan for Kuujjuaq’s airport are completed. A tender will be issued by the end of summer to hire a consultant to complete this work.

The Transportation Ministry said additional information on the airport work will be available this spring.