Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) operates roughly 300 daily flights, providing a state-of-the-art travel experience for passengers. To increase gate capacity at the airport, AUS set about on a 10-gate terminal expansion program. RS&H was selected as the lead civil engineer on a team of consultants for the airfield portion of the project.

As part of the preliminary project planning, RS&H analyzed the existing taxiways, taxilanes, and apron areas to determine the required pavement limits needed to accommodate existing aircraft gate parking, Remain Over Night (RON) parking positions, and the dual apron edge taxilane configuration. This allowed the airport and the FAA to set stakeholder expectations and develop a funding strategy for the program. RS&H worked closely with city and FAA staff to phase the project over multiple years to synchronize available funding with realistic construction timelines. The airfield portion of the project included approximately 394,000 square yards of Portland cement concrete pavement and 20,200 square yards of asphalt pavement to provide additional aircraft parking and increased taxilane capacity.

RS&H provided onsite construction oversight and field engineering, allowing the airport and the FAA to be confident that the design intent was properly transferred from paper to pavement. Detailed construction phasing was developed to ensure there was no loss of capacity for the existing terminal facility and safe operations of aircraft during construction.

NEPA strategy and on-call environmental planning services

RS&H provides on-call engineering, planning, and environmental services under a general consulting contract. Examples of relevant projects include:

• EA for general aviation development: The GA development would occupy two leased parcels and the development of the larger, 21-acre parcel was also dependent upon the relocation of an FAA ductbank. Although floodplain encroachment was anticipated, the developer would construct box culverts to maintain capacity of the existing floodway to mitigate any adverse impact to the 100-year floodplain elevation, saving the DOA time and money, and enabling the FAA to approve a FONSI.
• WHA and WHMP: The WHMP outlined steps for monitoring, documenting, and reporting potential wildlife hazards and strikes, and contained protocols for responding to hazardous wildlife situations, roles, and responsibilities of airport personnel.
• EMS and SPCC plan: RS&H created a tool to manage the airport’s Permits-By-Rule program administered by the state of Texas. The EMS developed a template to allow airport staff to input data and calculate emissions estimates more efficiently. RS&H also prepared a “gap analysis” comparing the airport’s current programs with regard to the 17 EMS elements of ISO 14001:2004. RS&H used the findings of the GAP Analysis to develop recommendations for an EMS. These efforts gave airport staff a user-friendly way to manage information regarding their EDMS models. As a part of this assignment, RS&H also updated the SPCC plan.
• NEPA for parking structure: RS&H provided professional services to complete NEPA (CATEX) and 7460 documentation for a parking structure.
• New parking lot: Provided services that included preserving heritage trees, landscaping, permitting, drainage, revenue control system, and a reclaimed-water irrigation system.
• RCCF environmental compliance: Provided consulting, support, and project oversight in accordance with environmental regulatory requirements related to groundwater management, soil management, and development of a lead-containing hazard assessment.