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Airport projects update: taxiway relocation bids, $788,000 shortfall for phase 2 and timeline for 139 certification
Summary
Airport staff briefed the IDC on a multi-phase taxiway relocation and apron project, a funding shortfall for phase 2, parking-lot and apron work, and steps needed for FAA Part 139 commercial-service certification, including an enplanement goal of 10,000 passengers.
Airport staff updated the Industrial Development Corporation on March 4 about several airport infrastructure projects, a multi-phase taxiway relocation that aims to support future commercial service, and funding and scheduling considerations tied to FAA and TxDOT grants.
The taxiway relocation project was designed to move Taxiway Echo and build aircraft parking stands, including space for large military aircraft. Mike Shahan (airport staff) said an October engineer estimate showed a base bid and alternates approaching $7.3 million and the airport’s current encumbered budget is about $6.4 million, producing a shortfall of roughly $788,000 for phase 2 if both phases are built together.
Why it matters: completion of the taxiway and apron work is a major element in meeting FAA and TxDOT requirements and in preparing the airport for potential scheduled commercial service and higher-certification requirements.
Schedule and financing: Shahan said TxDOT intends to advertise the project in late March, with a bid opening expected April 16. The FAA is expected to release grant funds to TxDOT in May; council approval of the construction grant could occur in May or June and construction could begin in June or July, with an approximate six-month schedule. The airport is funding a $200,000 parking-lot improvement project and anticipates some reimbursements under the TxDOT/Federal grant process; however, the reimbursement model requires the city to upfront some costs and seek 90% reimbursement later.
Part 139 certification and enplanements: The airport is pursuing FAA Part 139 certification required for scheduled commercial airline service. Shahan noted several capital requirements — signage, pavement markings, runway safety area work and an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle — and said the airport must reach 10,000 enplanements to qualify for the formal classification tied to some federal funding streams. He relayed that the private airline partner the airport is negotiating with believes it could meet the 10,000-passenger threshold in its first year and projected much larger potential volumes over time.
Board members asked about funding options to cover the phase-2 shortfall and the airport indicated it expects to use reserve funds and proceeds from property sales to bridge gaps until grants reimburse the city. Board members and the airport discussed cost-sharing approaches and suggested potential IDC support for match funding if needed; no final commitment was made at the meeting.
Speakers listed for this item include airport staff and board members; technical and dollar figures were provided by airport staff and engineering estimates referenced in the packet.
