St. George airport update (photos from late Nov. 2009)
photos from:
www.sguconstruction.com
Update from St. George inside newsletter: (
http://www.sgcity.org/inside/pdf/winter2009.pdf)
"After 20 years in the making, the dream of an airport that will meet the needs of the future is becoming a reality. The existing airport atop the
Black Hill Mesa cannot be expanded and therefore has looming safety problems. It will never be able to accommodate passenger jets and has limited
services or potential for expanded economic activity.
Moving to a new site solves all of those problems. It places the city in the position to receive jets and the improved service of serving more destinations
at greater distances, as well as the comfort and convenience they bring. The city is currently working to attract more air carriers as well.
“The new airport will be a state-of-the art, premier quality facility that will reflect the progressiveness and vibrancy of the community”, said Public
Works Director Larry Bulloch. We are making substantial progress right now, with nine contracts going on simultaneously”. Total progress in terms
of dollars has reached the $100 million mark on the $160 million dollar program. The Replacement Airport program is on schedule and under the
projected budget amount. Hundreds of pictures are being taken and placed on the city’s web site (ww.sguconstruction.org) for people to watch
the progress of construction. From the areal views you can see the outline of the runway and taxiways, and the terminal building budding from
the site. Finishing touches are being done on the earthwork. That has set the stage for runway and taxiway lighting to be initiated, followed by paving in the spring. The most exciting part of the work is the $6.2 million terminal. With the steel framing mostly in position, the image of the building is
emerging. The building features an observation deck, a canyon-like corridor, an interior garden and a greeting area that will be very welcoming.
By spring the interior walls will be in place and the building will be complete in the fall of 2010. Construction of the fire station will begin in early
2010 and be complete by late fall 2010. Parking and landscaping improvements around the terminal will be done in the summer.
Several contracts are under way for extension of roads and utilities to the site. UDOT is projecting completion of the airport’s main access, the $100 million Southern Parkway, to be open well before startup of airport operations, which isslated for early 2010."