Tucson Airport Begins Infrastructure Projects

Work at Tucson International Airport includes an $8-million project won by Granite Construction Co.

TIA Begins Apron Expansion

The Tucson Airport Authority has begun work on the expansion of the Tucson International Airport’s commercial aircraft parking apron. The $8-million project, designed by Stantec Consulting and constructed by Granite Construction Co., adds 44,000 sq yds for aircraft maneuvering and overnight parking adjacent to the existing aircraft parking apron.

Crews will construct a new 18-in. Portland concrete cement apron on the east end of the existing terminal ramp. Other work includes the realignment of a service road, new security fencing and east security gate, area lighting and a concrete blast wall extension.

The project, being funded by FAA and ADOT grants, is anticipated to be complete in the spring of 2010.

TAA has also launched several other infrastructure projects designed to meet future demand, including 60 acres southeast of the airfield reserved for industrial development with airfield access; improvements to Aero Park Blvd. that will support new business development on the south side of the airport; and at Ryan Airfield, improvements to the airport main entrance roadway, Airfield Drive.

GLHN Designs CAP Plant Upgrade

Central Arizona Project has selected GLHN Architects & Engineers Inc. of Tucson to provide pumping plant chiller replacement design services for an estimated $3 million in system improvements. The project will upgrade existing chillers and energy control systems at four pumping plants on the CAP canal at Salt Gila, Hassayampa, Little Harquahala and Bouse Hills.

$82-Million Equipment Deal Signed With Copper Mine

Empire Southwest LLC has signed a contract in excess of $82 million to supply Caterpillar 793F 250-ton capacity haul trucks with Tier-2 engines for the Rosemont Copper mining project near Tucson.

As part of the agreement, Empire will also provide machine management, technology, operator training and comprehensive assistance to Rosemont as it develops the site, which will be the first fully engineered, three-dimensional mine site in Arizona. By late 2012, the mine is expected to produce up to 10% of the copper used in the U.S., plus molybdenum and silver.

A 2009 economic impact study by Arizona State University’s Seidman Research Institute indicates that during the mine’s initial four-year engineering and construction phase, Rosemont will spend a total of $900 million.

Pervious Concrete Used at Jewish Center Remodel

Progressive Concrete Works Inc. is installing 9,350 sq ft of specialized pervious concrete at the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center’s parking lot in Phoenix. The center is Phoenix’s first synagogue, originally built in 1922, and is currently being restored by the Arizona Jewish Historical Society. The construction, led by general contractor G & G Specialty Contractors Inc., is expected to be complete by December 2009.

Drainscape pervious concrete is porous concrete that allows for three to eight gallons of water per sq ft, per minute to pass through it, providing water for surrounding vegetation. The material helps combat the urban heat island effect by allowing cooler earth temperatures to migrate up. Since pervious concrete allows water to drain through, the need for a water retention basin on the project was eliminated.

ADOT Awards Seven New Contracts

The State Transportation Board approved seven more contracts for Recovery Act projects, adding to the 40 contracts that have been already approved.

New contracts include a roadway widening on U.S. 60/Grand Avenue from 99th to 83rd avenues, won by Pulice Construction at $6.49 million and the widening of U.S. 95 from Arizona Avenue to Yuma Palms Parkway in Yuma, by Royden Construction Co. for $8.96 million. Two microseal contracts were awarded to Southwest Slurry Seal for a combined $1.23 million while Abbco Sign Group, Cactus Transport and D & O Contractors were awarded three smaller contracts.

A total of 51 Recovery Act projects have been advertised to date. Most of these projects have already gone through the bid process, which produced $60 million in cost savings. As a result, ADOT is already moving forward on extra projects funded with Recovery Act dollars. Two additional ARRA projects have already been approved for Maricopa County: S.R. 85 will be widened from Southern Avenue to I-10, and S.R. 74 will get passing lanes along a two-mile stretch. More projects will be added statewide.

To submit New Mexico, Arizona or Nevada news items or press releases, email the editor at scott_blair@mcgraw-hill.com.