b'OPERATIONSSTL 53The arrangement that we selected as the preferred alternativeKnown as the West Airfield Program, projects include the allows us to have a much better approach (both in terms of safetydesign and construction of relocated airfield maintenance and ease in wayfinding) to the single terminal as opposed tofacilities, executive program management services and program multiple approaches to two terminals, Beckmann explains. management services. Aside from the advanced age of the 1960s Requirements for cargo and support facilities are also coveredairfield maintenance campus, it is located in a flood-prone area, in the master plan update, and were based on input from tenants,putting existing buildings and equipment at risk for water damage. forecasted activity and industry planning standards. The airfield,Its relocation will also allow for the design and construction of a while adequate in size, requires additional aircraft deicing capacitynew west airfield deicing pad. as well as updated taxiway geometry to enhance safety and efficiency, notes van Woensel. Airfield maintenance facilities areCollaboration Despite Challenges slated for expansion and relocation from a flood-prone area.WSPs van Woensel notes that leaders at STL were wise to keep their foot on the gas pedal when COVID-19 rocked the industry. The updated program now awaits approval via FAAsThis city leadership and the airport had the foresight to plan for environmental review process as well as commitment of financialwhen the industry came back, he says, noting that other airports support from STLs airline partners.that took a different approach are now at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, officials announced in October that STL airlinesJennifer Kuchinski, a WSP senior project agreed to help fund about $330 million of airport improvements.manager working with STL, notes that Hamm-Niebruegge explains that these projects could beforecasting passenger numbers during COVID considered as enabling work, however, they needed to happenwas probably the teams biggest challenge. whether the current terminal facilities are kept or not. A draftWhile aviation has proved to be a resilient environment assessment has been completed, and Beckmannindustry, planning for recovery was a difficult says the airport expects to have a determination of no significanttask, and the team relied on previous recovery impact from FAA by next winter. examples to validate its forecast. TheseJENNIFER KUCHINSKIWSP is proud to have provided Greater Orlando Aviation Authority with program management services for Orlando International Airports South Terminal C, one of the worlds irst LEED v4 campuses, recognized by Engineering News Record Southeast as a 2023 Project of the Year.WSP has led expansion and improvement projects at airports of all sizes across the U.S.JOIN OUR TEAM!wsp.comAirportImprovement.comJanuary | February 2024'