the airfield at St. David's.

The three-mile fence is the biggest one Government has ever put out to tender.

It will separate the Airport runway from the rest of the US Naval Air Station, which is to be turned over to Bermuda on September 1. The Navy has a fence all around the outside of the 1,200-acre Base, but only around one side of the runway near the Civil Air Terminal.

Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons said 12 firms bid to supply and erect the fence, and most prices were between the low bid of $355,000 and $600,000.

Prices were "certainly on the competitive side, which is good news,'' Dr.

Gibbons said.

The chain link fence is to be six to seven feet high and made from aluminised steel to prevent corrosion.

A gatehouse, a turnstile, and signs will be part of a separate contract, Dr.

Gibbons said. The Minister, who previously said the fence would cost less than $1 million, is now expecting the whole package will come in at less than $500,000.

The contract with Bermuda Tech will likely be signed this week and work will start in three to four weeks, Dr. Gibbons said. The job is to be finished before the Base is handed over to Bermuda at the end of August.

Some of the work may have to be scheduled so as not to coincide with arrival and departure of flights, he said.

The tenders were called by the Ministry of Works & Engineering.

FENCE JOB -- Cabinet Minister Dr. Grant Gibbons says he was pleased with the competition.