By The Star Staff
Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) Executive Director Joel A. Pizá Batiz announced Thursday that after an investment of $547,600, the roadway rehabilitation project at Mercedita International Airport in Ponce has been completed.
Pizá Batiz said the project, which involved the main thoroughfare and access road at the airport, also impacted the access road to the cargo, general aviation and Air Rescue Unit areas. Among the benefits of the project, he emphasized that it improves road safety, promotes the rapid response of the Air Rescue Unit to incidents on the airport premises, as well as of the personnel who work at the Police Headquarters attached to the airport.
In addition, it allows the airport operator to raise the level of service to passengers and airlines.
“These roads are of particular importance to the economy of the southern region, as they are the access to passenger and cargo operations, as well as other services offered from this airport,” the Ports chief said. “I thank all the parties involved in achieving this project of vital importance for the aviation industry, tourism and for the people in general.”
The work, which took three months and was performed by contractor A&M Solution, consisted of the rehabilitation of the asphalt pavement by milling some 1,200 cubic meters of the existing layer and laying 3,000 tons of new asphalt. Base sections were also restored in certain areas. In some spots, the base was rebuilt to improve the structural capacity of the pavement.