May 05, 2008
Monday

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are working to complete design of the Petersburg Airport Runway Safety Area (RSA) Improvements project to bring the facility into compliance with current FAA design standards.

Final design reviews have resulted in increases to the overall construction cost estimate for the project and prompted DOT&PF to make the following changes:

Project Construction Phasing: The original plan to construct all of the RSA improvements as a single construction project has been modified as a result of the increases to the construction cost estimate, combined with changes in available funding. These conditions prompted the need to divide the project into two construction phases as follows:

Phase I: This initial phase will widen the RSA embankment on each side of the existing runway and replace existing cross runway drainage culverts. The two-to-four week-long runway closure for culvert replacement activities will be included in this phase. DOT&PF will advertise for construction bids this month and expect construction to be completed in the fall of 2009.
Phase II:  The second phase will lengthen and complete the RSA construction. The work includes the additional embankment construction at the runway's west end, shifting the runway thresholds, runway paving, and navigational aids upgrades. Construction of this phase requires the authorization of additional funding.

"We currently anticipate construction beginning in 2009 with completion in 2010," said Jim Heumann, project manager.

Airport Closure Schedule: The scheduled airport closure for cross runway culvert replacements that will occur as part of the Phase I construction activities has been changed from fall 2008 to spring 2009. This change will allow the contractor more time to prepare for, and be more efficient in construction of, the culvert replacements.

Alaska Airlines was consulted and provided input endorsing a two-to-four week long closure window beginning on or around March 23, 2009 after communicating with their community advisory boards in Petersburg and Wrangell.

DOT&PF will provide alternate transportation for passengers and air freight between the Petersburg and Wrangell airports during the closure as presented in the project environmental assessment document for the project.

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF)
www.dot.state.ak.us

 

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