Bricks and mortar

It ain't sexy, but it's important:

The need to ensure safe air operations, upgrade Trenton’s aging infrastructure, and support the upcoming arrival of the C-17 Globemaster IIIs has necessitated a significant number of infrastructure improvements and additions to be implemented at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton.

Construct Air Traffic Control Tower:

The air traffic control tower is aging, and no longer meets current and future operational requirements. A new tower will be built in accordance with NAV Canada standards and the existing tower will be demolished. [BB: at a projected cost of $14.4 million}

Reconstruction of Taxiways, and Recapitalization and Expansion of the Northeast Ramp:

Two existing Taxiways will be reconstructed and an expansion of a ramp space will take place to provide four parking areas in preparation for the arrival of the C-17s. The existing parking area is sufficient for short term parking; however, would not accommodate the four C-17s that will be permanently based out of 8 Wing/CFB Trenton. The recapitalization of the ramps will include features such as sloped surfaces for drainage, open ditches, and underground storm water piping.

The reconstruction of the taxiway, and recapitalization and expansion of the northeast ramp is the first of three phases of runway reconstruction. Preliminary designs are currently underway to upgrade the southeast and western taxiways and aprons as well. [BB: at a projected cost of $19.4 million]

It's worth noting that this is just the beginning of the infrastructure improvements at CFB Trenton:

A number of other multi-million dollar projects are currently in the preliminary design phase as a result of wing requirements and the Airlift Capability Project, for example:

• The construction contract for a temporary hangar to support initial C-17 operations is currently being tendered and is expected to be awarded this fall.


• preliminary designs are underway for the construction of at least three hangars to support existing aircraft as well as the new fleet of C-17s


• an Aerospace and Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron Refinishing Facility is being designed, and will replace the existing facility that is aging an no longer meets operational requirements.


• a project is currently being developed, which must be closely coordinated with the ramp reconstruction project, to improve and expand the aviation fuel distribution system.

More information on these projects will become available as they evolve and details are finalized.

I have no doubt that the usual suspects will not only complain about the costs, but scream about them being "hidden costs" for the C-17's. The truth is that the military has been eating its seed wheat for so long that there's a pile of infrastructure work all around the country that just plain needs doing, and now.

And given the importance of CFB Trenton to our ability to deploy and support operations in both Canada and abroad, this represents a welcome investment in the CF's capacity to do the jobs we've assigned.