The resurfacing work on the airport runway has been completed, with Premier Ewart Brown boasting it was "on time and under budget".

He said 67,000 tons of aggregate, sand and asphalt cement were used to update L.F. Wade International Airport "with the finest in taxiway technology".

The total re-pavement is equivalent to 75 kilometres of Bermuda roads.

Dr. Brown said: "I have four words to proudly share this morning - on time, under budget."

However in January it was claimed the completion date was scheduled for early July.

Explaining why the Premier was saying the project had been finished on time his press secretary said: "The construction project of re-paving the main taxiway and lead-in apron was completed on time in July.

"Then crews worked on smaller elements like taxiway line painting and remote apron re-paving. That secondary work was completed in September."

At a press conference at the airport yesterday the Premier said: "The expansive taxiway and apron repaving project we told you about earlier this year is now complete and it has come in on time and under budget.

"The $18 million project, started in March, was deemed necessary by an independent auditor who worried our ageing taxiway could no longer withstand the constant abuse of heavy aircraft.

"Now that risk is averted. The project was a success. And perhaps most importantly, the bottom line came in at $17.6 million - almost half-a-million dollars under budget."

He said much of the credit for the prudent management of this project went to Airport General Manager Aaron Adderley and Maintenance and Engineering Manager Wendall Burchall.