SALINA-GUNNISON COMPLETES AIRPORT PAVEMENT RECONSTRUCTION By Craig A. Ide, P.E., MBA, Pavement Engineer, Utah Aeronautics Division, UDOT Salina-Gunnison Airport recently completed its Runway 2/20 Reconstruction Project. Project engineering firm Savage Associates Engineering headquartered in Richfield, Utah, provided the design of the runway, taxiway connecter, and apron asphalt pavements. Salina-Gunnison Airport, FAA identifier 44U, built a runway on an unobstructed plain located between the two cities around 1947. Over the years Salina and Gunnison have shared the matching costs with support of state aviation grants. Salina-Gunnison has one runway designated 2/20 which measures 3855’ x 60’ and parking for eight aircraft. The airport is opened 24/7 with aviation fuel availability. However, there is no fixed base operator on the field. The project included roto milling 32,000 square yards, 5350 tons of [3"] hot mix asphalt, and 5000 tons of UBC, 140 gallons of reflective marking paint. Hales Sand & Gravel, a CRH Company, was awarded the project in August 2021, began construction Sep. 6, 2021, and completed mid-November 2021. State and city-matched funds were used for the $850,000 project. During construction, a thunderstorm left large amounts of standing water near the tiedown area requiring a culvert. Hales Sand & Gravel coordinated the change order, design, and placement of a culvert to drain under the taxiway with construction of a surface ditch. This did not affect the budget or schedule of the project. This project was completed under budget and on schedule, thanks to the coordination between Savage Associates Engineers and Hales Sand & Gravel. The completed project is a large improvement of over thirty years of a four-year cycle of asphalt preservation that prolonged its life prior to the major reconstruction project. Utah Division of Aeronautics and the mayors of Salina and Gunnison are thankful for the dedicated efforts and skills of Hales Sand & Gravel and Savage Associates Engineering. 3 16
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