Projects
PROJECTS PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR, 2009
Airport Office Expansion
The airport office expansion involves adding onto the existing office to include offices for WSDOT Aviation Division, adding a community room and additional airport offices. A portion of the existing office will be remodeled to include a pilot information lounge and weather center. The current office footprint of 1,389 square feet will increase to about 7,839 square feet (6,450+1,389).
Road Construction - 51st Avenue Extension
51st Avenue/Airport Boulevard will soon be extended just past but not connecting to 43rd Avenue adding about 2,500 feet of road. This extra road allows more land along Taxiway C to be available for land development and hangar construction. Airport Boulevard will eventually connect to 188th Street.
Airport Directory Signage
Illium Associates, Inc. was hired to develop an exterior signage master plan for the airport. The plan will include sign locations, sign types, sign designs and sign lighting methods. There also will be a business directory sign that will include a map of the airport with airport business names and locations. The signage plan is being developed to provide directory information on airport businesses at the main entrances (eliminating existing sandwich board signs and banners that do not meet sign code) and to further enhance the image of the Airport and City. The sign master plan document is available for viewing at the Airport Office.
Airfield Lighting – Ramp and Hangar Areas
Elcon Associates, a lighting engineer company, was hired to design a lighting plan for the south hangar area and ramps. Elcon has provided the airport with construction ready drawings and bid documents to light the west ramp, east ramp and city hangar areas. This project will be phased as funds are budgeted and become available.
2009 Airport Appraisal
The airport property will be re-appraised in 2009. This appraisal is an FAA requirement and will be used to set the land lease rates for the next five years, 2010-2014. Current land rental rates are (without leasehold tax): T-hangar $0.20 per square foot per year, aviation land $0.22, industrial $0.25, and commercial $0.73.
Compass Rose Re-Certification
The airport’s compass rose certification will expire in 2009. The airport will have the compass rose re-certified. The 100’ circle is painted on the apron of Taxiway E near 11-29. Contact the airport office for documentation.
Airport Master Plan Update 2008
Barnard Dunkelberg & Company was hired to provide Airport Master Planning services to the airport. This master plan update will shape the future of the airport in providing the Airport Office with guidance in infrastructure improvements and land development. The goal of the master plan update is to provide the framework needed to guide future airport development that will cost-effectively satisfy the aviation demand, while considering potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts. To view the working papers call the Airport Office.
Projects Completed
Reconstruction of taxilane south of the fuel pumps (AAIRAR-01)
The taxilane was constructed in 1943 when the army developed the field into medium bomber. As part of this project, a new drainage system was constructed to improve storm water drainage and the taxilane width was reduced from 50 feet wide to 35 feet wide to meet current standards.
Taxiway C and D Improvements
The project consisted of overlaying Taxiway C and D and taxiway connectors C1, C2, C3, C4 and D3. Taxiway Connector D2 was reconstructed and two new aprons adjacent to Taxiway C were constructed.
Apron Joint Resealing Project
The apron joint resealing project was completed in the summer of 2006. The project basically consisted of four tasks: (1) saw cut and rout the joints and cracks, (2) sandblast off the old sealant and clean the joints and cracks, (3) seal the joints and cracks and (4) repair the spalls. This extends the life of the ramp by keeping excess water from seeping underneath the concrete panels. It prevents the grass from growing in the cracks, which can speed up the deterioration of the concrete joints and cause excessive cracking and spalling.
Gun Range Cleanup
Another project completed in 2006 was the gun range cleanup project. The old gun range is located just north of 172nd Street NE and just west of 51st Avenue NE. It was used by the Navy and civilians from at least 1945 through 1978. The top 12 to 15 inches of soil was excavated from the site and hauled offsite to a landfill, leaving a slight depression in the area. The project involved removing the old clay pigeon fragments and lead shot (which was treated prior to excavation). The gun range was cleaned up to prepare for a future business park that will occupy most of the land west of 51st Avenue, north of 172nd Street and east of 43rd Avenue.
A.I.R. Taxiway Rehabilitation Project
A.I.R. taxiway was reconstructed in 2005. This project involved removing deteriorated pavement, installing a storm drainage system, and repaving approximately 17,500 square feet. The entire length of the taxiway is 630 feet. The airport reconstructed the first 350 linear feet. The remaining 280 linear feet was reconstructed by a private developer.
AIP PROJECTS
The Arlington Airport receives money for projects from the federal government through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). We receive both discretionary and entitlement money.
Discretionary money is money that is divided up amongst all the NPIAS (National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems) airports (currently 3,444 airports around the United States) and is based on national priorities and needs. Airports compete for discretionary money. We are typically on a three year schedule to receive discretionary funds for a project. For example, Taxiway B Extension and New Taxiway E completed in 2005 was from discretionary money. Our next big project is Taxiway C and D Improvements to be completed in 2008.
Entitlement money is allocated to each NPIAS airport in the amount of $150,000 each year. However, entitlement money is rolled into the discretionary money received for a project during that year. More information can be found on the FAA website www.faa.gov.
Remember that this is federal money and is subject to federal budget constraints and national priorities. In addition, only projects meeting FAA criteria and specifications are funded. Regardless of the amount of grant money the airport receives, the airport usually pays 5% and the FAA usually pays 95% of the total project costs.
STATE GRANT PROJECTS
The Arlington Airport occasionally receives money for projects from the state government. A majority of these grants come from the Department of Transportation - Aviation Division. Some previous projects include grants for: security cameras, gates and fencing and fog sealing. Funding levels and contributions are dependent on amount of funds available and project priorities. WSDOT Airport grants are funded by Washington aircraft registration fees and aviation fuel taxes.
Another source of state funding is from the Department of Ecology. Some previous grants include: coastal fibre site cleanup, gun range cleanup and fuel sp8ill cleanup. The airport strives to be environmentally conscience. DOE grants help in maintaining that objective.