Port Director Christopher King says parts of the paved runway at Ofu Airport which have been removed are due to quality issues caused by a variety of reasons.
For example unexpected rainfall during the pour, unforeseen mechanical issues with the concrete plant or concrete trucks delaying continued pouring of concrete within a slab, as well as workmanship.
King made it clear there’s no issue with the design or cement used.
Media reps from KHJ News and KVZK-TV noticed the missing slabs on the airport runway which contractor Paramount Builders started last year during a visit to Ofu over the weekend.
A groundbreaking for the project was held on March 26, 2021 and the last flight landed there on April 16. Since then people have to go by alia to Tau island to catch flights to and from Tutuila.
According to Port Director King it was necessary to change the type of cement used due to supply limitations from the off island suppliers. The missing slabs will be replaced at the expense of the contractor.”They are not change orders,” he explained.
It’s expected that because of the change in cement type, when 3,535 square yards of concrete, is poured that some slabs would not be 100% satisfactory. “These slabs would be removed and replaced at the contractor’s expense.”
King stressed that Port Administration does not have any concerns with the quality of work Paramount is doing at Ofu Airport. “We have a good quality control and quality assurance processes approved by the FAA and overseen in Ofu by our CM Team who ensures the quality of the pavement that will be left in place.”
He added that although Paramount is taking longer “than we would have liked, the quality of the concrete pavement is assured. The quality of the concrete slabs that will remain at the end of the project, will be FAA-specification passing quality concrete.”
There have been no change orders to Paramount’s contract – for costs, said King. There is only a change order for a time extension due to COVID, Code Red shutdown, and delays in shipping of materials and supplies which have all contributed to the new anticipated completion date.
The Ofu airport runway is scheduled to be completed next month and flights should be resuming in July.
