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Director's Corner
On September 17, 2002 the Board of Supervisors authorized the acceptance of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant funding to complete the upgrades of the Buchanan Field Airport electrical system and airfield signage. This project, at an estimated cost of $1,300,000, will bring Buchanan Field Airport's signage up to the newest standards, as depicted in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5340-18C "Standards for Airport Sign Systems." The new signs will provide to pilots a much more comprehensive picture of their location on the airfield. Completion of the project is expected within 180 days, plus additional days for weather related delays.
In August, the Airports Division received FAA approval for the selection of St. Francis Electric as the project contractor. Construction began in September on the first phase of the project, which includes the electrical power upgrades to the airfield and FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. This portion of the project will ensure meeting current and future airfield electrical needs.
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The most complex portion of the project is the second phase, the installation of new signs on the airfield, which began in October. Crews must trench, form, place concrete, tie into power and install signs at 187 sites. Due to the specific runway and taxiway safety area set back distances there will be significant periods of closures. These will even include closure of the entire Airport on more than one occasion. Such occasions are currently scheduled during nighttime hours. The Airports Division will be working with tenants to provide as much advance notice regarding main runways and complete Airport closures as possible. Closures will be listed via Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).
The plan for the contractor is to complete as many of the concrete sign bases as possible, prior to the rainy season beginning in November/December. Once the rains begin, the contractor will refocus on the electrical upgrades to the tower. The contractor will then wait for the spring of 2004 to complete the sign bases, install the actual signs and bring power to each of the locations. Airport staff is asking for patience and diligence during this project.
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