b'AIRFIELD SAFETYTUS 45of airfield geometry to meet current FAAand replacing 12 earth-covered magazines minimize the potential for pilotsstandards. Additionally, a MAGVAR changeand expanding the airport safety area. approaching from the south to was required, and last November the TAAThe Runway 12R-30L Connectormisidentify the left and right parallel changed the parallel runways at TUS fromTaxiways Project will modify connectorsrunways, and11-29 to 12-30 and the crosswind runwayand taxiways to commercial runway enhance awareness of the interaction from 03-21 to 04-22.standards and relocate aircraft guidancebetween Taxiway Delta and Runways To minimize airfield disruption, managesystems.11R and 11L.TAA cash flow and maximize grant funding,The airport chose to use theRecommended changes included construction was divided into four majorconstruction manager at risk deliveryaligning the end of Runway 29L with pieces:method for the Runway 12R-30L andRunway 29R to address runway The new Runway 12R-30L andConnector Taxiways Project. The othermisidentification issues and adding a center Connector Taxiways Project includes:three phases are design-bid-build projects.parallel taxiway to provide a place for a new electrical vault (completed aircraft to turn off Runway 11R-29L before in 2021)Unwanted Distinction proceeding across Runway 11L-29R. construction of an end-around taxiwayWhen FAA amended its reportingA Master Plan Update that validates and modifications to existing taxiwaysrequirements and expanded the definitionthe need for airfield safety enhancements (completed in 2024) of airfield incursion in 2007, TUS led theand includes an implementation plandemolition of the existing generalU.S. for reported airfield incursions in 2008.was completed in 2015. The preferred aviation runway (completed in 2024) Thats not a good list to be at the top of,runway programrelocating Runway Bewley laments.11R-29L and constructing a center parallelUnderway taxiwayincorporated the runway and -relocation and construction of newThe airports previous configuration of parallel runways was problematic. Pilotstaxiway safety elements identified in the commercial service runway, airfield safety enhancement study as well -constructing a center taxiwayconfused Taxiway Alpha as Runway 29R,as additional safety elements developed between the existing and newand Runway 29L for Runway 29R. Wrongthrough the master planning process.parallel commercial runways,surface landings and runway incursions were all too common at TUS, she explains.Although the project team presented -constructing an outer taxiway anda few alternatives that leveraged airport-new connector taxiways,A study of needed airfield safety improvements performed in 2010 identifiedowned land, the TAA selected a plan that - i nstalling a new barrier arrestingfour hot spots. We resolved two without kit system for the Arizona Airany major construction, but the two that National Guard (paid throughremained were runway issues that could Military Construction Cooperativenot be resolved until we reconstructed Agreement), andand realigned the airfield geometry, -performing sound attenuationBewley explains.at homes identified in the 2017 environmental impact study. An airfield safety enhancement study, completed in 2012, reviewedDriven to In addition to the airfield aspects of thethe airfield geometry with the goal ofEmpower program, the TAA engaged in complexClients and reducing incursions and improvingElevate land negotiations that involved a landoverall safety. The study used a modifiedAviationswap between the United States Air Forcesafety management system/safety risk (USAF) and the TAA. The TAA needed amanagement approach to evaluate and parcel owned by the USAF for the safetyprioritize potential airfield enhancements. area for the new runway, and the USAFThe findings yielded recommendations needed a parcel owned by the TAA tofor near-term operational and construct a new storage facility. Before thesafety-enhancing airfield geometry TAA can commission the new runway, itimprovements, as well as longer-term must pay for the construction of the newairfield redevelopment. storage facility for Raytheon Technologies Corporation followed by the removal ofRecommendations include airfield the 12 Earth Covered Magazines presentlygeometry mitigation strategies designed to:used by Raytheon to store its products. minimize or eliminate aircraft from The Earth-Covered Magazine Demolitionaccessing Runway 11R-29L by and Fencing Project includes demolishingcrossing Runway 11L-29R, dibblecorp.comAirportImprovement.comOctober 2024'