Sochi says it has demonstrated its ability to deliver on its commitment to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Friday with the inauguration of a new runway at Sochi International Airport and a new electric substation in Krasnaya Polyana.
Construction work began at the airport last October mobilizing more than 1,200 experts, using 100 pieces of machinery, and 140,000 tons of concrete. The completed work includes resurfacing and widening the runway, reconstructing the terminal apron and parking, reconstructing the taxiways, expanding the drain and sewage system and upgrading the light signal equipment. The runway will now accommodate all types of planes.
Sochi 2014 bid committee CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko said at the inauguration ceremony, “I am proud to be here today to witness the progress that has already been made at the airport in such a short time. The Sochi 2014 Games plan will be a winning success because of the kind of hard work and commitment to excellence that I have seen at the Sochi International Airport. As we gear up for the IOC’s decision of a host city, I am pleased to point to our construction successes as proof that the region is more than capable of delivering an outstanding Games in 2014”.
The second inauguration Friday was for the completion of the Poselkovaya substation in Krasnaya Polyana, which Sochi 2014 calls an important step in the updating of the power supply and generation for the region. The substation’s construction was completed in six months instead of the two years allotted for the project.
The three-star Karusel Hotel complex, already under construction, will be the first venue to benefit from the new electric substation. The Karusel complex will be completed in 2010 and will consist of 2,150 rooms that will be used to accommodate the media, should Sochi host the Games. The completion of the new substation will also enable the Karusel ski lift to become operational by the end of 2007.
Alexander Zhukov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation said, “Sochi 2014 continues to be a national priority for the Russian Government. We approved the Federal Target Programme for the Development of Sochi, a comprehensive plan aimed at upgrading the city to the level of a year-round, world-class destination of Sochi, one year ago in June 2006, and as you can see, it has already delivered significant results. The reconstruction works at the Sochi International Airport are just one part of Sochi 2014’s innovative and far-reaching Games plan, but if given the honour of being chosen as an Olympic host, I can assure you that all projects will likewise be completed on time and within budget.
