Will break ground this month on $15 million maintenance/snow removal equipment complex
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 2, 2014) — Blue Grass Airport has received federal funding for a Taxiway Safety Enhancement Program to enhance operational safety and improve the efficiency of aircraft movement at the airport. Planned in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Blue Grass Airport’s 2013 Master Plan, this multi-year initiative will require the relocation of the airport’s existing Maintenance/Snow Removal Equipment Complex and Public Safety Building to allow for realignment of the airport’s primary taxiway.
As the first step in this initiative, the airport is breaking ground this month on a new $15 million maintenance/snow removal equipment complex. The airport maintains 23 pieces of snow removal equipment to accommodate winter operations at the airport. To properly store this equipment and to allocate land for necessary elements of the Taxiway Safety Enhancement Program, a new 63,000-s.f. facility will be built near the southwest corner of Aviator Road.
“Today’s funding announcement is an important first step in Blue Grass Airport’s ability to move forward on this multi-year initiative,” said Eric Frankl, executive director of Blue Grass Airport. “The airport’s Master Plan identified the importance of this program and included valuable input from airport stakeholders. We are very appreciative of the leadership and funding support of the Federal Aviation Administration as well as our partnership with Congressman Andy Barr and his team.”
The maintenance/snow removal equipment complex is an essential component to maintaining winter weather operations at the airport. Based on FAA guidance, which calculates average annual snowfall, square feet of critical pavement area and a recommended 30-minute clear time, at least 21 pieces of snow removal equipment are needed to plow the airport’s runways, taxiways and aprons. The new complex will provide an additional 20,000 s.f. to allow for this equipment as well as space for vehicle maintenance, deliveries, warehouse storage and other day-to-day maintenance functions.
“I’d like to thank the FAA for working with Blue Grass Airport and my office to award this needed funding in a timely manner,” Barr said. “The safety of our citizens and visitors to the Bluegrass is paramount, and the Taxiway Safety Enhancement Program will pave the way for future growth. When Blue Grass Airport is successful, it means we are creating jobs here in Kentucky.”
Construction of the maintenance/snow removal equipment complex is anticipated to be completed by fall 2015 and the entire Taxiway Safety Enhancement Program is expected to conclude in 2018. Partners on the new Maintenance/Snow Removal Equipment Complex include Messer Construction, Connico Inc. (program management) and Parsons Brinckerhoff (design).
Blue Grass Airport, located in Lexington, is served by five major airlines providing convenient non-stop service to 15 major hub cities and connecting service to hundreds of destinations worldwide.
Add Comment