Hickory awards $1.32 million retaining-wall contract to enable EMAS installation at regional airport

Airport Director Chad Hunsucker told the council on May 19 that a 2022 FAA 139 inspection found the runway safety area (RSA) at Hickory Regional Airport was nonstandard, which led to FAA-imposed declared distances and operational restrictions for some larger aircraft.

To address the safety shortfall, staff recommended installing an Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) at the departure end of runway 6. "Engineered Material Arresting System, EMAS," Hunsucker said. "The system is made up of a little over 2,700 blocks." He explained the blocks are designed to safely stop an overrunning aircraft and that installing EMAS would allow the city to achieve a compliant safety area.

Before EMAS can be installed, the city must construct a retaining wall to make the safety area contiguous and meet FAA slope and grade requirements. Staff presented two design options and reported three responsive bidders; the low responsive bid for the two-wall design came from Neil Grading Construction at $1,319,714. Council approved a motion to accept the bid, authorize the city manager to execute contract documents, and approve a budget revision transferring $1,319,714 from remaining funds in the aviation wall project. Staff told council these are existing project funds and not new dollars from fund balance or bond proceeds.

Council members asked practical questions about EMAS performance and emergency access; Hunsucker explained that the blocks will crush under the weight of heavy vehicles and that aircraft operators are responsible for replacement costs if a plane enters the EMAS. The motion to award the contract carried unanimously on voice vote.