b'GENERAL AVIATIONVDF 61These developmentstaxiways project at VDF. AVCON Inc. was highlight the increasingselected to lead the design and constructionFACTS&FIGURES demand for high- administration, with provisions that gave the quality general aviationAviation Authority flexibility to expand theProject: Airfield Improvementsfacilities and reinforceprojects scope as needed. The constructionLocation: Tampa Executive Airport, in FLour commitment tocontract, bid separately, was awarded to C.W.Major Components: Rehabilitation of enhancing the customerRoberts Contracting, which had expertise inrunways, connecting taxiways & main apron; expanded taxiways; upgraded LED lighting experience andMYLES PARRIS large-scale airfield pavement projects.Cost: $34 million operational capabilitiesAVCON Associate at VDF, says Myles Parris, senior managerFunding: Federal Airport Improvement Program Vice President Michaelgrants; FL Dept. of Transportation grants; Bond of General Aviation Operations andCoppage, who hasand Bank Note Proceeds; passenger facility Maintenance. been working withcharges; customer facility charges; capital the airport for severalreserves; Aviation Authority fundsAirfield Improvements years, explains thatTimeline: Request for proposals issued in 2019; Brett Fay, vice presidentVDFs recent growth hasconstruction Oct. 2020 - Oct. 2025of general aviation forincluded larger aircraft,Lead Engineer & Construction the Hillsborough CountyMICHAEL COPPAGE Administration: AVCONso project plannersDesign Phase Geotechnical: Madrid CPWGAviation Authority, notesand engineers incorporated pavement that much of the airportsstrengthening to handle the additionalDesign Phase Surveying: Northwest pavement, including itsSurveying Inc. weight. In addition, they adjusted the primary apron, had notintersection geometry of all taxiways. been rehabilitated sinceProject: Runway 5-23 & Connector TaxiwaysBRETT FAY With larger aircraft come larger mainPrime Contractor: CW Roberts Contracting Inc.the last major airport expansion in 1999, making improvementsgear width, which means you need moreElectrical & Lighting Subcontractor: throughout the airfield timely and essential.pavement for those aircraft to travel on,Aviation Construction & ElectricIn 2020, VDF management kicked off aparticularly in turns and intersections,Surveying: Webb & Associates comprehensive improvement project toCoppage explains. During the later phasesMaterials Testing: Test Lab Inc.modernize infrastructure and improve safety,of this effort, the Authoritys efforts toBoring: Aviation Construction & Electric LLC executed in several phases.secure tenant developments, combinedSodding: Schere Quality Farmswith the FBOs growth, began to accelerateTrucking: Alers Hauling Inc.The first phase focused on rehabilitatingnoticeably. So it was a privilege to assist the the 5,000-foot primary runway, 5-23, andAuthority with delivering these improvementsEarthwork: Absoluteits associated taxiways with fresh paving,to support that growth. Pavement Markings: Hasco Inc.lighting, signage, electrical systems andLighting Fixtures: ADB SAFEGATEmore. The second phase, launched inThe multi-phase rehabilitation requiredContract: About $5.9 million January 2024, was a $12 million taxiwaycareful planning and coordination toDisadvantaged Business Enterprise enhancement project that improvedminimize operational disruptions. RunwayCommitment: $646,300connectivity and operational efficiency.5-23 was closed for eight weeks, divided evenly across two project phases, whileProject: Runway 18-36 & Connector TaxiwaysThe most recent and final phase focusedthe shorter crosswind runway, 18-36, was on Runway 18-36, the airports secondaryclosed for 12 consecutive weeks for runwayPrime Contractor: Ajax Paving Industriesrunway, as well as the FBO ramp (Apron C)of Floridaconstruction and to avoid unsafe back-taxiElectrical & Lighting Subcontractor: H.L. and several adjacent taxiways.during taxiway construction. But ParrisPruitt CorporationAlmost all of our pavement, all of our lights,says the biggest challenge was managingSurveying: John B. Webb Inc.and all of our signage is new, says Fay. Weconstruction on the airports main apron. Materials Testing: TTCS Inc. had already completed a major rehabilitationApron C is where bigger jets connect toSodding: Sunbelt Sod & Gradingof our terminal building back in 2020 with newthe VDFs sole fixed-based operator, SkyportEarthwork: Florida Natives Nursery Inc.bathrooms, flooring and lighting to brighten itAviation. Rather than shutting down thePavement Markings: Hi-Lite Airfieldup. I would put our airport facilities against anyentire apron at once, AVCON worked withMarkings Incairport in the state of Florida. They are somethe Aviation Authority to split the job intoLighting Fixtures: ADB SAFEGATEof the finest general aviation facilities that youtwo sections to keep operations flowingElectrical Supply: Rainbow Distributors USA Incwill see, and the airport has put a tremendoussmoothly.Contract: About $12 millionamount of money into ensuring that we keep these airport facilities world-class. We knew there would be some impactDisadvantaged Business Enterprise on our tenants, and we worked to minimizeCommitment: About $1 millionit through weekly construction meetings,Key Benefits: Stronger, smoother runways & Juggling Closuresconnecting taxiways; expanded taxiways for larger The Aviation Authority issued bid requestsParris adds. We coordinated with ouraircraft; brighter, crisper lighting for runways, in 2019 for the Runway 5-23 and connectorFBO, Planning and Development team, andapron, taxiways & hangars AirportImprovement.comNovember | December 2025'