Analysis
Performed a pavement condition analysis, determining the most economical design to uncover potential issues.
Coordination
Closely coordinated with multiple stakeholders to successfully design and plan for construction with minimal interruptions to operations.
Timeline
Met the deadline for the Federal Aviation Administration grant application, exceeding expectations for quality and service.
The Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is a certified Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commercial service airport serving over 50 non-stop destinations throughout the United States. PGD’s General Aviation (GA) facilities support over 380 base aircraft and is recognized as the third fastest growing airport in the nation, according to the Florida Department of Transportation’s statewide aviation economic impact study.
PGD contracted Kimley-Horn for design, bidding, and construction administration services to rehabilitate and extend Runway 15/33. The $12-million project included the reconfiguration of Taxiways A, D, E, G, and H to accommodate the extended runway. Within the early phases of design, Kimley-Horn conducted an extensive pavement condition analysis, including a pavement coring program to determine the most economical approach for the assignment. Our team considered these initial activities an opportunity to uncover feasiblility issues that may transpire during construction.
The reconfiguration of the taxiways required close coordination with airport engineering, maintenance, and operations staff to minimize disruptions to aircraft operations. Engagement with stakeholders, such as ATCT Chief, FAA, airlines, and airport operations was crucial when preparing the construction safety and phasing plan.
Extension of Runway 33
The extension component of the project occurs at the end of Runway 33. An additional 593 feet was added to Runway 15-33 to provide a total length of 6,281 feet. The extension will permit commercial service to utilize PGD’s secondary runway. Using the aircraft operations from PGD’s latest Master Plan Update, Kimley-Horn designed the new pavement section and connecting taxiway, demolishing the existing connecting taxiways to make the connection to Runway 33 possible.
The extension and rehabilitation required:
- More than 19,000 square yards of pavement removal
- 21,000 tons of P-401 asphalt
- 52,000 square feet of airfield markings
- Runway grooving
- Resurfacing
- Painting
- Runway edge lighting and taxiway edge lighting
- Signage and NAVAID relocation
Blast pads were also added at each end of the runway, and Taxiways E, A, and D were realigned to follow FAA design standards.
Meeting Stakeholder Deadlines
As part of Kimley-Horn’s scope, PGD required the bid documents to include two additional projects designed by two other consultants. One project was for the mitigation of more than 40 acres of wetlands within the airfield, the other supported the relocation of a public road to be outside Runway 33 due to its extension.
With a very stringent schedule to meet the deadline for FAA grant application, our team successfully prepared the contract documents on time and fully coordinated with PGD staff and the other contractors, exceeding their expectations for quality and service.
“This project has been quite an endeavor, requiring extensive coordination of dozens of parties from funding and design to construction. I want to thank the team that worked together to make it all happen, and I am thrilled to be able to open it up to the General Aviation community that has been eagerly awaiting this moment.”
Project Recognition
- 2021 Commercial Service Airport Project of the Year; Florida Department of Transportation
