b'RUNWAYSFSM83official notification from the Air Force that it had won the contractprocess, including a FONSI, typically takesto house the F-35 training center.18 months, but our team accomplished itThings really stepped up after that, Griffin relates. in 11 months.While waiting for confirmation of the FONSI What Needed to be Done from the FAA, the airport had construction Significant earthwork was required to extend the east (26) endcrews poised to spring into action. We of the runway, as well as parallel Taxiway A, the necessary 1,301received final approval from the FAA to feet. In addition to new pavement, new lighting and signage werecommence construction operations around 4BRIAN MAURERinstalled, along with updated pavement markings. The airportp.m. on April 18, 2022. That same night, the airports contractor also relocated several FAA-owned navigational aids (NAVAIDS)entered the airfield and started working on Runway 8-16, Maurer and made other related improvements according to FAA designrecalls. guidelines and specifications.This was possible because the decision to use a construction Airport officials were largely spared the headache of solicitingmanager/general contractor approach was made during the funds for the $25 million project. Both the state of Arkansas anddesign phase, and Halff started the process of selecting a the city of Fort Smith were anxious to get this project built, due tocontractor while the FONSI application was still pending. Once its expected long-term positive economic impact, Griffin explains. hired, the contractorEmery Sapp & Sonsquickly coordinated Before moving ahead with construction, the airport neededwith the design team to develop a work plan and purchase to perform an environmental assessment (EA) and subsequentlymaterials at competitive prices.secure a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) from theObstacles to OvercomeFAA, states Halff Project Manager Brian Maurer. Our primary consultant, Garver, worked expeditiously to prepare the EA. ThisThe site selected for the runway extension was extremely rocky, so crews had to do a lot of blasting and grading work. In total, they AirportImprovement.comMay | June 2025'