May 02--Construction crews at Tulsa International Airport worked Wednesday to install new runway lights, one of the final phases of a six-month project to improve the 10,000-foot primary landing and takeoff strip.
Replacing the runway's concrete and related work is expected to wrap up in early June, just before the summer heat starts to bake the surface -- and any workers still there.
But even as flights shift back to the main runway in coming months, travelers and businesses at Tulsa International are in for nearly two years of construction to remodel the facility's southeast terminal, upgrade the baggage system and further improve the runways.
"We plan to move United and American Airlines to their new gates in October and November so we can have them in place by Thanksgiving," said Alexis Higgins, spokeswoman for the airport. "After that we should be able to start work on the concourse."
Major renovations to the airport's western Concourse B took 18 months, finishing last May. This fall, work is scheduled to begin on Concourse A -- a $23 million project that will give the area more open space and high-tech features.
The project should take about 18 months, wrapping up in the third quarter of 2015. During construction, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines operations will have to move to the northern part of the terminal and share that space.
After construction, American will occupy the three end gates at the terminal.
As with the $29.5 million Concourse B project, Concourse A will be getting skylights, more windows, and seating with individual charging stations for electronic devices.
The airport is keeping the existing restaurants and shops in the concourse, but the walls between the terminals will be knocked down to give a more open feel to the space.
"It also helps us to use the space better because the airlines will be able to share the space at the gates," Higgins said. "Before you had to make each seating area big enough for any plane that came in."
Gates will be renamed as "A" gates, followed by the gate number, such as A5 or A12, instead of the former Gate 1 through 60 naming system.
The airport has 24 gates, 12 of which are occupied.
Concourse A will also get new restrooms, and mechanical systems will be moved from the roof to underneath the concourse, just like on the other side.
There will be some differences from Concourse B. The ceiling is lower on the eastern side of Concourse A, and there will be a redesigned military lounge for active duty members and veterans alike.
The project is being funded by passenger facility fees and the Tulsa Airport Improvement Trust.
Under the floors, crews are working on a new baggage system, which should be finished by mid-November. The old system was prone to stoppages during peak hours.
Some of the conveyors will be replaced, but most importantly the project involves installation of a new software system that funnels luggage to inspectors and to planes.
The baggage system upgrades are being paid for with Transportation Security Administration funds.
The completed work on the airport's main runway is actually just the first phase of the project. Officials shifted work to the 7,376-foot east-west runway to the larger runway during renovations.
However, the airport is scheduled to start work on the most complicated section of the project -- the runway intersections. That could start as early as March 2014.
During intersection work, planes will be diverted to the west runway. The asphalt west runway has a weight limit of 100,000 pounds and would restrict heavy cargo planes, such as those carrying delivery company shipments.
The work will require shutting down huge sections of the airport for as much as two weeks or 14 consecutive weekends. Higgins said making some of the work weekend-only will result in a longer construction period, but it will limit the impact on businesses that operate large aircraft.
Tulsa International Airport upcoming projects
Project Construction start End
Main runway Dec. 2012 June 2013
Baggage systems Jan. 2013 Nov. 2013
Concourse A Nov. 2013 Summer 2015
Runway Intersections March 2014 March to June 2014
Kyle Arnold 918-581-8380
Copyright 2013 - Tulsa World, Okla.
