The Tribune

IN LESS than one month, passengers touching down at Lynden Pindling International Airport will have a completely different first impression of New Providence.

They will arrive at a new 226,000 sq ft International Arrivals Terminal, housing Bahamas Immigration and Bahamas Customs, a state-of-the-art baggage belt system, four restaurants, bars, lounges and six hotel reception lobbies.

Stage two of the LPIA Expansion Project is set to open on Tuesday, October 16.

This week NAD’s board of directors, headed by chairman Anthony McKinney, toured the bustling construction site as contractors put finishing touches on the facilities in time for opening day.

At the peak of construction, more than 500 workers (70 per cent Bahamian) were on site transforming the former US Departures terminal into a sleek, three-story structure with barrel-vaulted ceilings.

The new terminal mimics environmental design features found in stage one construction including large roof overhangs to provide shade and reduce heat-gain, rain water collection, low-flush automatic plumbing fixtures and automatic building maintenance systems to control lighting and cooling.

The exterior design also incorporates a mix of 50 per cent glass and 50 per cent solid walls to maximise light and minimise heat intrusion.

General contractor Ledcor Construction commenced work on stage two in March 2011. To date $38.9 million has been awarded to Bahamian firms – 30 per cent of the total value of construction contracts awarded.

An impressive art programme started in stage one expands to include six stunning pieces by local artists Imogene Walkine, Maxwell Taylor, Keisha Oliver, Jolyon Smith and Melissa Maura.

The final stage in the $409.5m expansion, construction of a Domestic and International Departures and Domestic Arrivals terminal, is set for completion in the fall of 2013.