Omaha, Nebraska
The largest airport in Nebraska, Eppley Airfield, enjoys continued growth in numbers of both passengers and cargo. Eppley Airfield, governed by the Omaha Airport Authority, continuously looks to the future, as it serves the greater Omaha area and a six-state region.
For over 40 years, Lamp Rynearson has led airport engineering projects at Eppley Airfield. Project designs include airport design, pavement design, stormwater management, airfield lighting design, navigations aids, airfield security considerations, construction phasing analysis, construction administration, GIS, and survey. Whether services are provided in-house or through subconsultants, the Lamp Rynearson airport team works collaboratively with the client on projects such as airfield pavements, taxiways, runways, cargo ramps and the terminal ramp. Airport master plans, parking facilities, utilities, landscape architecture, and stormwater management – all are coordinated by the Lamp Rynearson airport team.
Taxiway A-D-F
After helping Eppley Airfield with pavement assessment Lamp Rynearson engineers diagnosed areas that need updating and assisted in determining the project limits for Taxiway A, D, and F. The reconstructed areas were some of the last remaining sections to be updated on Taxiways A, D, and F. Providing survey services, full civil design, and construction administration, Lamp Rynearson led the team in the reconstruction of these three taxiway sections. Over 43,000 SY of 16-inch concrete paving was poured in updating the 75 foot wide taxiways.
With ponding being one of the issues in this area after rain events the storm sewers were also replaced in accordance with the 2014 storm sewer study. Lamp Rynearson worked with project
team member HDR on storm sewer modeling, Alvine Engineering in updating the airport electrical lighting to LED lighting and Thiele Geotech for materials testing.
In this high traffic, area phasing was important to minimize disruption. Lamp Rynearson used four phases to reroute traffic in and around Taxiways A, D, and F, keeping both the project and airport traffic on schedule.
PROJECT QUICK FACTS
- Over 43,000 SY of 16 inch concrete paving
- Replaced storm sewers
- Four phases to minimize disruption
Terminal Ramp Reconstruction
The Terminal Ramp surrounding each of Eppley’s satellite gates is the heart of the airline action on the airfield. Lamp Rynearson provided survey, design, and construction administration services for the multi-phase project. The project included the construction of a large, underground storm sewer junction structure, over one mile of 84” and 96” storm sewers, 170,000 CY of excavation, and nearly 148,000 SY of new 16” PCC pavement.
Lamp Rynearson provided construction administration services throughout the multi-phased 3-year construction occurring from 2015-2017. Serving as the “eyes and the ears” of the Omaha Airport Authority, our personnel were constantly on-site to monitor and record construction progress, review shop drawing submittals, lead weekly construction progress meetings, process payment applications for the Contractor, and coordinate quality assurance testing.
PROJECT QUICK FACTS
- Pavement design for commercial aircraft
- Topographic survey
- Storm sewer evaluation
- GIS
- Design and construction administration
- Project divided into phases
North Parking Garage
In 2014, Lamp Rynearson was selected as part of a team with Walker Parking Consultants for services associated with the design and construction of a new parking garage. Lamp Rynearson performed civil engineering for the parking garage including survey, grading, utility coordination, landscape, and construction inspection. Preliminary design and cost estimates were also provided for the project.
The new parking garage required the demolition of the existing 2-story parking structure, reconstruction of the new 6-story parking structure, and significant improvement of public infrastructure supporting and surrounding it, including landscape improvements.
Lamp Rynearson worked closely with the team and Eppley’s staff to assist with phasing of the project, including the temporary move of the rental car facility to the south long-term parking lot area. Construction documents and construction observation for relocating the rental cars to the south parking lot were provided by our firm.
Our in-house construction administration team observed construction of work and worked closely with Walker Parking and Eppley’s staff during construction to ensure project specifications were met. Our knowledge of local conditions and proven success with city and state agencies, utility companies and stakeholders was vital to the success of the new parking structure.
PROJECT QUICK FACTS
- Construction documents
- 6-story parking structure
- Construction administration
Runway 18-36 South Reconstruction
Runway 18-36 is a valuable piece of infrastructure, providing quick access to the air for planes departing from the commercial side of the field. Lamp Rynearson provided design and construction services for a multi-phase reconstruction project on the south half of 18-36. The project included the removal and replacement of 72,000 SY of runway and taxiway PCC pavement, 10,000 LF of storm sewers, sanitary sewer relocations, 100,000 CY of excavation, and supporting airfield electrical work.
Completed in five phases after the Contractor, the OAA and Lamp Rynearson collaborated on a time-saving solution, reducing the allowable working days by 10%. The project began in September 2013 with the removal of Taxiway B adjacent to 18-36. Storm sewer was installed through the winter and in the spring of 2014 runway pavement reconstruction commenced. Coordination was required to maintain aircraft operations on the perpendicular taxiways while 18-36 was closed. The reconstruction of the Taxiway S and Taxiway F intersection was completed in late 2014.
PROJECT QUICK FACTS
- GIS
- Storm sewer and pavement evaluation and design
- 9′ x 9′ juction structure joining four 72″ storm sewer pipes
- Upgrade wind cone system
- Project phasing and safety plans
Cargo A / Light Cargo Apron Reconstruction
A parking area for planes at Eppley Airfield, the Cargo A / Light Cargo Apron was experiencing a level of alkali-silica reaction common in concrete of it’s age causing cracking and needing replacement. Lamp Rynearson provided a full scope of services including survey, design, and construction administration in the reconstruction of the Cargo A apron. Through boring samples, the team determined the rock and sand base courses under the concrete to still be intact and usable. 18,000 cubic yards of 14-inch concrete paving were then poured over the 940 ft by 420 ft of the apron. New storm sewers were also designed and installed during the reconstruction to handle weather events and keep the apron area free of standing water.
Phasing, an important part of all airport-related projects, was done in two parts to minimize the impact on this project. The entrance to the Cargo A apron had to be shut down and cargo planes had to use an alternate apron. Coordination among the project team and stakeholders such as UPS and FedEx was key during this reconstruction to keep shipping and sorting facilities on track during this fast-paced project schedule.
PROJECT QUICK FACTS
- 18,000 cubic yards of 14 inch concrete paving
- New storm sewer design
- Split into two phases
East Pump Station
In 2011 the Missouri River experienced a historic flood event all up and down the river causing more than $2 billion in damages. Omaha’s Eppley Airfield, on the west side of the Missouri riverbank, was in the middle of a flood fight to keep the airfield above water and airplane traffic moving. Lamp Rynearson was part of the leadership team whose job was to ensure the floodwaters did not overtake the airfield.
Upgrading the old pump station was priority number one to be able to pump rising groundwaters back into the Missouri River. Along with project management, Lamp Rynearson provided a topographic survey and plans to construct a new pump station at the east end of the property. With a capacity to pump 130,000 gallons of water per minute, this new pump station was rerouted to go up and over the existing levee. This upgraded pump station would enable the airport to better handle future water events on its property.
Lamp Rynearson’s construction administration professionals were on-site to help facilitate project phasing and safety during construction of the pump station. Coordination was key as Lamp Rynearson worked with several subcontractors and stakeholders including the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers during the flood fight and pump station project.
PROJECT QUICK FACTS
- Kept the 2011 flood waters from overtaking the airfield
- New pump station is able to pump 130,000 of water per minute
- Coordination with all stakeholders including the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
- Construction administration