Skyport has sought planning permission to make a series of upgrades to the runway at LF Wade International Airport, according to a recent application.
The planning application, submitted this year, proposes new concrete piers on existing piles in Annie’s Bay, located on the eastern side of the runway near Clearwater Beach, along with the installation of new lights and undersea cables.
Planning documents said the upgrades and refurbishments included in the project are needed for “life cycle replacements for the existing deteriorating piers and lighting”.
The application said: “The work includes upgrades to the runway lighting and the construction of new pier caps where the lighting will be mounted.
“New piles will be driven to support the new pier caps.
“The buried electrical feed for the runway lighting into Annie’s Bay was damaged due to water surge during a previous hurricane and a temporary feed was installed above ground.
“A new feed will be buried under the sea bed. A new chain-link fence will be constructed around the pier adjacent to Cooper’s Island Road to provide security around this pier.”
A strategic impact statement produced for the application noted that the concrete piers in place at Annie’s Bay are below the estimated 150-year storm-surge elevation.
The SIS estimated that the installation would take about 14 weeks with between eight and ten people working at the site.