Project Spotlight: Fort Smith Regional Airport Runway 8-26 Extension

Halff is proud to showcase a recently completed aviation project: the extension of Runway 8-26 and parallel Taxiway A at the Fort Smith Regional Airport in Arkansas.

This project took flight in 2021, involving complex coordination of design, construction and safety measures to meet the airport’s operational needs and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards.

Background

The Fort Smith Regional Airport is a public-use airport located three miles southeast of the central business district of Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas. It serves as a regional hub for commercial and general aviation, as well as military operations.

The Airport has two runways: Primary Runway 8-26, which was originally 8,017 feet long and 150 feet wide, and crosswind Runway 2-20, which is 5,001 feet long and 150 feet wide.

The airport’s master plan, updated in 2020, identified the potential to extend Runway 8-26 by 1,301 feet (or 9,318 feet in total length), at the east end to better accommodate both military fighter aircraft and larger commercial aircraft, which would increase operational flexibility Airport.

Funded by the State of Arkansas and City of Fort Smith, the Runway 8-26 extension project was authorized in 2021 with a deadline of 24 months from commencement of design to completion of construction.

The project generally consisted of the extension of Runway 8-26 and parallel Taxiway A, including mass earthwork/grading, concrete paving and surface grooving, runway/taxiway lighting and signage, pavement markings, relocation/installation of multiple FAA-owned electronic navigational aids (NAVAIDs), and other related improvements.

The Runway 26 approach-end threshold was temporarily relocated to facilitate construction activities and minimize operational disruptions to the Airport. This allowed Runway 8-26 to remain open to aircraft operations at a reduced length concurrent with the construction activities occurring within and beyond the closed portion of the runway. The design and construction improvements were performed in accordance with FAA design guidelines and specifications.

Executing the Vision

Halff provided project management, design and construction services in partnership with other aviation sub-consultants. Halff’s scope of work primarily included the following:

• • • Preparing FAA-approved Construction Safety and Phasing Plans (CSPPs) to ensure minimal disruption to airport operations and compliance with FAA regulations.
    • Preparing and filing aeronautical study applications (FAA Form 7460-1) required for the proposed construction improvements and temporary construction equipment.
    • Designing the runway and taxiway pavement sections based on forecasted aircraft operations/fleet mix and with the use of the FAA’s FAARFIELD pavement design software.
    • Preparing runway and taxiway concrete jointing plans and details.
    • Preparing runway and taxiway pavement marking plans and details.
    • Preparing construction manuals.
    • Coordinating a CM/GC project delivery method in lieu of competitive bidding.
    • Coordinating the work of all sub-consultants, including civil, electrical/NAVAIDs, geotechnical and environmental services, and providing QA/QC review of their deliverables.
    • Performing full-time observation, administration and oversight during construction.

Runway to Success

Fort Smith Regional Airport can now soar to new heights with its runway extension.

The runway project was successfully completed in August 2023, within the 24-month deadline and the $25 million budget. It yielded the following outcomes and benefits:

• • • Enhanced the airport’s capacity and operational efficiency by allowing larger aircraft to use Runway 8-26 while reducing runway occupancy time.
    • Improved the airport’s safety and reliability by upgrading the runway and taxiway pavement conditions and NAVAIDs.
    • Increased the airport’s economic impact and competitiveness by attracting commercial, military and general aviation activity and revenue.
    • Demonstrated the airport’s commitment to meeting the current and future needs of its users and the community.

Halff’s excellence in completing the airport’s Runway 8-26 extension is helping improve lives in Arkansas. Fort Smith Regional Airport Director Michael Griffin praised the quality and timeliness of the project:

“This project was unusual in that a runway extension typically takes three or more years from design to completion, and we had a deadline of 24 months. The excellent work from the Halff team put together a quality design and ensured construction was completed within our demanding time frame. Halff delivered a completed runway extension as promised. This was accomplished by providing excellent project oversight during the construction phase.”

Halff is honored to have delivered successful results on the runway extension, ultimately supporting Fort Smith Regional Airport’s vision and goals for their growing community.

Let Halff help you take flight! Our talented industry professionals bring years of expertise and knowledge for your projects. Contact Operations Manager Brian Maurer (bMaurer@halff.com) to get started today.