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New Iqaluit airport terminal construction on schedule

Construction of Iqaluit's new airport terminal is on schedule, according to John Hawkins, director of Iqaluit's airport.

Building expected to be finished by August 2017

Construction continues this summer on Iqaluit's new airport terminal. The building is expected to be completed by August 2017. (CBC)

Construction of Iqaluit's new airport terminal is on schedule, according to John Hawkins, director of Iqaluit's airport.

"It's progressing really well," he said. "It's a little bit surprising. Sometimes things fall a little behind but this one is on schedule right now."

The $300 million construction effort began last July at a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Nunavut's premier, Peter Taptuna, as well as representatives from the various companies involved in the project.

An artist's concept of the new Iqaluit airport terminal under construction. (Government of Nunavut)

Currently workers are installing a facade on the empty metal skeleton of the new building and pouring cement for the building's new floor.

This latest round of construction began in April, with the erecting of the metal struts which form the new terminal's basic structure.

The building is expected to be finished by the end of August 2017, according to Hawkins. Improvements also need to be made to runways and roads. A new culvert will also be installed at Airport Creek to allow the construction of a new parking lot.

Hawkins says the entire project is slated to be completed by the end of 2017.