The Airport runway extension has been delayed, but it seems that no one is quite sure when it will be completed or why it was delayed.

Rumours have been flying around the runway project that improper gravel was used at the outset forcing the project contractor to dig up large sections and start again.

However, Bob Mailer, general superintendent for Magnum Road Builders told The Interior News last week, that the project is on schedule and that paving was to start on Sunday.

“That is absolutely not true,” he said. “No materials had to be replaced.”

Michelle Scott, Magnum Road Builders owner, said however, the project was delayed because of a problem with the aggregate source.

“The area where we were taking the sub base from was clay and was more difficult than we anticipated,” she said. “Also August was a wet month so we had some delays there.

Mark Allen, director of development services, also confirmed that the runway extension would be delayed because materials had to be replaced.

Originally, in minutes obtained by The Interior News of a joint economic development committee and planning design session dated Sept. 19, 2007 — Allen had announced the Town’s awarding of the project to Magnum Road Builders Inc., with a completion date of May 31, 2008. Paving was to start in June or July.

In a newsletter put out by the Town in the spring of this year, an article states the project would be completed in October.

“What happened was in the original RFP, the project was supposed to start last fall, but the weather was mucky and the contractor and the Town agreed on a spring start,” Kelly Zacharias, airport manager said.

Once a spring start was decided, the project was set for the beginning of May. Weather fouled the project again.

“The start date was delayed by two weeks and that pushed everything back,” Zacharias said. “I have heard all sorts of rumours about this project from the beginning and I would like to know where all these experts are.”

Scott said paving should be done this weekend. Zacharias said probably Oct. 15.

Right now, LB Paving is working on one end of the extension and Magnum is grading the other.

“We’re going full steam ahead,” Dan Boissevain, from LB Paving Ltd. said. “If you can tell me what the weather is going to do, then I can tell you when it will be done.”

Boissevain added that a paving project the size of the runway extension usually takes about 10 days.

Scott said the project had been delayed about 20 days and that there had been no fines or levies placed on the contractor by the Town.

“There are always stories around a project like this in small towns,” Scott said. “Everyone has an egg in the coop.”