By Tara Hernandez

Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Passengers traveling through the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) may notice a few more construction cones over the next several months, but not in the usual terminal building space.

Starting today, the Airport is beginning its apron reconstruction project, a $30 million project that will repair the terminal apron – the area where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, and refueled. The construction will be completed in seven phases over the course of two years to allow for adequate gate space for air carriers as the busy summer travel months approach.

“Our goal is to do this project with as minimal impact to the passengers and our airline partners as possible,” said GFIA President & CEO Jim Gill. “We are due for an upgrade to our apron area and our staff has done a tremendous job of maintaining this pavement for years, but it is important to keep up on these repairs and excel in our operations.”

The project will remove existing aging concrete pavement, and replace it with 153,000 square yards of new concrete for future airport development and aircraft loadings. The amount of concrete being placed equates to a nearly 250-mile stretch of four-foot wide, four-inch thick sidewalk – enough to walk from GFIA to the Mackinac Bridge.

In addition to the apron repair, GFIA is installing all new LED lighting in the apron area to reduce energy usage, and upgrading the stormwater drainage system and underground utilities to accommodate for future airport development.

“We recently completed Phase One of our Gateway Transformation Project – giving an upgrade to the indoor part of our facility, now we move into the airside area upgrades,” said Gill. “Safety and security are our first priority and we are working closely with our all of our tenants, contractors, and staff to ensure a smooth transition.”

The construction is not expected to have an impact on passengers, but project updates are available on our website: www.grr.org/construction for curious onlookers that may notice the activity from the Airport Viewing Park, Indoor