DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Russell J. Handy
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Federal Aviation Administration Grant for Runway Guard Lights at the San Antonio International Airport
SUMMARY:
City Council consideration for an ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of grant funds for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvements Program (AIP) grant in an amount up to $1,500,000.00 for the Runway Guard Lights project. The total estimated project cost is $2,000,000.00, which will be funded by the AIP grant and the City's share of $500,000.00 from Airport Improvement and Contingency Funds. This action will appropriate funds and amend the FY2019-FY2024 Capital Improvement Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Aviation Department and the FAA routinely communicate and coordinate on airfield improvement projects. Among the potential projects to improve airfield safety, installation of elevated and in-pavement runway guard lights (RGLs) was considered by the FAA and the airport in order to improve the visibility of runway holding positions in all conditions, including inclement weather and time of day. The goal of the project is to reduce potential runway incursions by both ground vehicles and aircraft.
The FAA has identified funding for this project utilizing FY 2019 AIP grant funds. The project will include the purchase and installation of 14 pairs of elevated runway guard lights and two sets of in-pavement runway guard lights at multiple taxiway and runway intersections at the San Antonio International Airport. The project will include installing nearly 16,000 feet of new concrete encased duct bank; 76,500 feet of airfield electrical cabling; and guard light fixtures and base cans. This project will also include taxiway concrete kerf saw-cutting. The grant application is intended to include other costs including design and construction administrations costs; third-party inspection costs; and, construction materials testing.
The solicitation for this project was released and will be taken to Council for consideration and approval in October 2019.
ISSUE:
The City regularly partners with the FAA for continued AIP funding for eligible projects at the Airport. AIP funding is based on the Airport’s preliminary submittal of its annual Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) to the FAA. Through the ACIP, the Airport identifies priority projects to be funded. With this grant program, the Airport System is able to share costs with the FAA on large and critical airfield projects at the San Antonio International Airport. The Runway Guard Lights project is eligible for FAA AIP Funding as it will improve airfield safety.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could elect to not pursue this grant opportunity. However, the FAA and the Aviation Department have available funding for this airfield safety improvement project. Without approval, the City loses eligibility for the federal grant awards to support these projects at San Antonio International Airport. In addition, the failure to accept could potentially affect the City's ability to receive future FAA grant funding for additional safety, development, and expansion projects.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The anticipated total project cost for the Runway Guard Lights project is $2,000,000.00 and includes appropriation of funding in the amount of up to $1,500,000.00 from the FAA AIP grant. The action will appropriate up to $500,000.00 from the Airport Improvement and Contingency Fund for the City’s match and amend the FY2019-FY2024 Capital Improvement Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the grant submittal and acceptance of grant funds from the FAA for the Runway Guard Lights Project at the San Antonio International Airport.