56
AIRFIELD LIGHTING  
October 2026      AirportImprovement.com
MGM
Replacing an airfield electric vault 
can wreak havoc on daily flight 
schedules, and the challenge is 
even greater at airports with only one runway 
for commercial traffic. Montgomery Regional 
Airport (MGM) in Alabama recently conquered 
that challenge by having its new vault 
constructed offsite, and then placed airside. 
“We’re proud to be 
the first airport in the 
country to use this 
innovative strategy,” 
says Loyd Jenkins 
III, executive director 
of Montgomery 
Airport Authority. 
“We are replacing an 
electrical vault system that had reached 
the end of its useful life while accelerating 
construction timelines and reducing 
impact to our daily operations.”
Installing the $4.5 million prefabricated 
electrical center early last year was the 
first phase of a nearly $14 million airfield 
improvement project funded with grants 
from the FAA and Alabama Department of 
Transportation. During the $9.4 million final 
phase, which is currently underway, the 
airport is rewiring the airfield with copper lines 
and installing new LED lighting and signs. 
Naturally, choosing the right project 
partners was crucial—especially for the 
first-of-its-kind system installed during 
Phase 1. For starters, there are not many 
companies with experience designing 
this type of system. Ultimately, the airport 
selected ADB SAFEGATE, which provides 
integrated systems for airfield, apron and 
tower operations throughout the world. 
Engineering consultant Goodwyn 
Mills Cawood collaborated with ADB 
SAFEGATE to determine exactly what 
equipment was needed for the electrical 
vault—constant current regulators, 
distribution panels, emergency power 
connections, etc. RDI Enclosures in 
Itasca, IL, was selected to manufacture 
the steel building to house it all. 
Overall, it took nearly one year to build 
the vault and construct the associated 
Montgomery Regional Becomes 
First in U.S. to Install a Prefabricated 
Airfield Electrical Center
FACTS&FIGURES 
Project: Installing New Airfield Electrical Vault; Rewiring 
& Replacing Airfield Lighting
Location: Montgomery Regional Airport, in AL 
Work Scope: Move all airfield lighting equipment out of 
cramped space in the terminal to new prefabricated electrical 
vault located on the airfield. Replace outdated airfield wiring, 
lighting & signage; remove old system (above & below 
ground). 
Creating & Assembling Prefabricated Vault: 
$4.5 million
Funding: FAA Airport Improvement Program 
& ALDOT Aeronautics grants
Building Size: 800 sq. ft. 
Timeline: Jan. 2024-Jan. 2025
Electrical Engineer: Goodwyn Mills Cawood
Vault Design: ADB SAFEGATE
Mfr. of Vault Structure: RDI Enclosures
General Contractor: Hutcheson Construction
Rewiring Airfield; Installing New Lights 
& Signs: $9.4 million
Funding: FAA Airport Improvement Program & ALDOT 
Aeronautics grants
Construction: Began March 2026; scheduled to be 
complete spring 2027
Electrical Engineer: Goodwyn Mills Cawood
General Contractor: Precision Approach LLC 
Major Subcontractors: Davis Underground Solutions; 
Southeastern Land Surveying
Electrical Cable: 126,000 linear ft.
Lights: 42 in-pavement mounted runway edge, threshold 
or end lights; 64 base-mounted high-intensity LED runway 
edge lights; 576 base-mounted medium-intensity LED taxiway 
edge lights
Signs: 84 base-mounted LED guidance signs of various sizes
BY PAUL NOLAN
LOYD JENKINS III

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.