b'RUNWAYSHRL 37authorization Cat II ILS for north and southshelf outfit and almost operated as if they flow. That is absolutely huge for precisionwere doing their own project. FACTS&FIGURES landings and landings in inclement weather,The company also had a lot ofProject: Runway Extension & Improvementsbecause it gets the planes lower and closerexperience working with the FAA, to the runway, Wren explains. As such, theLocation: Valley Intl Airport, in Harlingen, TXwhich was key because HRL signed aOwner/Operator: City of Harlingen upgrade is expected to reduce diversions,reimbursable agreement to turn all nav cancellations and delays. aids back over to the FAA once the projectScope: Extended Runway 35L from 8,400 ft. to 9,400 ft.; Beyond facilitating better cargowas complete. To meet all specificationsinstalled north & south flow CAT II ILS approach system business, HRL leaders are also keepingfor that takeover, the team kept openTotal Est. Cost: $35 millionan eye on commercial airline growth. Thedialogue between the FAA and the projectFunding: 80% Airport Improvement Program; 20% airport has experienced an 80% increaseengineers. Because we were such apassenger facility chargesin passenger traffic since 2019jumpingwell-knit group, before there became anyProject Timeline: Dec. 2022July 2024 from 265,000 enplanements to more thandesign issues, everybody was alreadyDesign/Engineering: RS&H550,000 in 2023. That growth spurred aaware of them, notes Wren.Resident Project Representative/Construction $20 million project to build a 120-foot airThe project shut down the three-runwayManager: Davika Construction LLCtraffic control tower that will replace theairports only instrument landing systemPrimary Contractor: Foremost Paving Inc.airports current tower, which is more thanfor 18 months. But Wren had preparedRunway Lighting & Power Design: RS&H/Ferguson50 years old and only 44 feet tall. (Seefor that, too. A few years ago, when HRL sidebar on Page 41 for more details.) Storm Sewer Design: RS&Hparticipated in FAAs Airport GeographicUtilities & Site Design: RS&HInformation Systems (GIS) program, Wren Cleared for Construction had flight procedures provide all GPSNavigational Aids: RS&HConstruction on the runway extensionapproaches to every runway end. So evenElectrical/Lighting: Hypowerproject began at the end of 2022 withwithout an ILS online, it was safe and easyGeotechnical & Quality Assurance: Terraconperimeter road and drainage projects, and isfor aircraft to get in and out, he explains.NavAid Systems Installed: Localizer, glideslope, DME, due to wrap up this July (2024).PAPI, RVR, MALSR, CAT II ILS approach systemWhile many runway projects of this sizeNo Bumps in the Road Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete: 23,179 tonsand complexity take five to 10 years, HRL(or Runway)Drainage Reinforced Concrete Pipe: 6,718 ft.is finishing at a record pace with nearlyOne thing you continually hear about no change orders. Wrens internal teamthis project is howFiber Optic Cable: 6.45 milestogether with project engineer RS&H,the timeframesAirfield Addition: 81.8 acresconstruction manager Davika Constructionwere shorter thanUnclassified Excavation: 53,182 cu. yd.and prime contractor Foremost Paving Inc.anticipated, saysGround Rods: 600+say their secret sauce was collaboration,RS&H Project DirectorNoteworthy Details: All nav aids are tied into fiber communication and a clear direction.Bill McGrew. I haveoptic transmission line; adding north & south CAT II ILS Glynn Forshage, project managerto give credit to theapproaches required complex design; after project was with Foremost Paving, credits openHarlingen Airport staff.BILL McGREW complete, parallel runways 17R and 17L were named 18RThey are extremely& 18L because magnetic headings had changed communication and quick decision-makingprogressive and energetic, and it spreads for facilitating histo the entire team. You get the feeling likeProject: New Air Traffic Control Towerstage of the project.nothing is impossible when youre workingLocation: Valley Intl Airport, in Harlingen, TXEveryone involvedwith them. Total Est. Cost: $20 millionmade it so easy, heWren concurs, adding that the goal toFunding: FAA Airport Terminals Program; Airport says. We got quickstreamline the project is to avoid delays. ItImprovement Program; passenger facility chargesresponses back, notGLYNN FORSHAGE was a top priority for everybody, and, moreProjected Timeline: Sept. 2024June 2026only from Bryan [Wren],importantly, everybody worked together Tower Height: 120 ft.but from the airports engineering teamespecially out in the field. and RS&H. Anytime we had somethingSize of Cab: 450 sq. ft.that needed to be figured out quickly, they For a project of this complexity, theArchitect of Record: RS&Hlevel of coordination make it a priority; and we were able towas truly amazing,Design Architect: Megamorphosiskeep moving.agrees David Wolf,Structural Design/Engineering: RS&HForshage says that working with Florida- resident projectConstruction Contractor: Out for bidbased Hypower, the electrical subcontractorrepresentative/ Remote Tower Provider: Robinson Aviation Inc. (RVA)that installed the nav aids and fiber opticconstructionNoteworthy Detail: Controllers will operate out of line, was a breeze. They just took the ballmanager with Davikatemporary remote tower while crews build new tower on and ran with it, he says. Theyre a top- Construction. Its trulyDAVID WOLF same site as existing tower AirportImprovement.comSeptember 2024'