Yuma International Receives Federal and State Grants to Rehabilitate Taxiway

Yuma International Airport has received a $4,469,265 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration and a $219,389 grant from the Arizona Department of Transportation to design and construct improvements necessary to rehabilitate Taxiway H1. This project is highly anticipated and is part of the Airport’s Capital Improvement Program.

“Yuma International Airport appreciates the Federal and State funding from the FAA & ADOT for this important project which cost $4,983,232 to design and construct.” Gladys Wiggins, Airport Director explained. “Yuma International Airport will provide the remaining $294,578 from a project specific federally approved funding source generated by the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC).

Taxiway H1 is located in the southwest portion of Yuma International Airport with direct access to the largest runway, Runway 21R/3L, and leads into the airport’s Defense Contractor Complex (DCC) which is largely used by the aviation and aerospace industry operating aircraft such as 747, 767, 737, C-5, C-17 and Antonov 124 for testing and training.

“It is important to ensure the integrity of the airfield’s infrastructure for the safety of our airfield customers operating these large aircraft,” Wiggins continued. “Approximately 40,000 square yards of concrete and 15,000 square yards of asphalt will be replaced or rehabilitated on the taxiway and shoulder. The project also includes the rehabilitation of surrounding ramp areas, taxi-lane approaches, access road approaches, pavement markings, signage, drainage systems and taxiway lighting which is important for the safety and operation of the airport.”

Yuma International Airport awarded the project’s design and construction oversight contract to Consultant Engineering, Inc. in 2016. The contractor for the project is DPE Construction who began this past September and is expected to be completed by late March 2018.

Ms. Wiggins shared, “We anticipate DPE and CEI will successfully complete the project on time and as budgeted. The airport is excited to have ongoing construction to help improve the airport’s facilities to attract new interest in testing, research and mission training.”

To view the project’s progress visit www.yumaairport.com and click on the camera icon in the upper right corner.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.