Taxiway Reconfiguration

With more than three nodes, Mathis Field’s Taxiway C does not meet the FAA’s current standards. Taxiway E is also substandard due to its spiraled configuration. KSA was hired to design the reconfiguration of these taxiways to bring them up to FAA code and address other safety concerns on the airfield that include apron areas, lighting, and pavement failures. The project scope also included a preliminary engineering report (PER) outlining the required FAA design guidelines per FAA AC 150/5300-13A Airport Design.
 
Before design began, KSA’s project team met with airport management, the commercial service provider, and local contractors to discuss the scope of the project and develop a viable plan to facilitate constructability and minimal impact to airport operations. A viable phasing plan was developed for construction after multiple meetings and plan iterations.
 
The Reconfiguration
Taxiway C’s current location creates an intersection with more than three nodes, which can cause confusion when pilots are trying to determine which route to take. To remedy this, Taxiway C will be moved to the north side of Runway 9-27. Because spiral taxiways can be mistaken for high-speed exit taxiways, Taxiway E will be reconfigured in its current general location. Both taxiways will be replaced with new, perpendicular taxiways with new lighting.
 
The Interception
Current FAA standards require airfields to include a turn on taxiways that directly connect aprons to runways. This stipulation was designed to minimize the possibility of inadvertent taxiing onto runways. At San Angelo Regional Airport, taxiways D, E, and F are all connected to aprons that intersect with runways. To improve airfield safety, KSA designed an artificial turf island barrier between the taxiways and the apron. The islands create an obstruction that prevents direct runway access and incorporated the FAA-mandated turn before entrance to a runway.
 
Pavement Failure and Lighting Updates
The edge of the hot mix asphalt (HMAC) pavement surface of Taxiway B is sinking, causing a lip between it and the Portland cement concrete (PCC) surface of the apron beside it. Repairs to this area will include removing the failing portion of the HMAC pavement and the failing base material from Taxiway B, and replacing it full-depth with PCC pavement; which will remove the lip and provide a smooth surface for aircraft travel. Additionally, updates will be made to the electrical vault by replacing the aging airfield lighting control and monitoring system (ALCMS) with a new, updated version.
 
As the prime consultant at the San Angelo Regional Airport since 2010, KSA has completed numerous projects and developed a pleasant and productive working relationship with airport management. This project, like many others, was designed and bid within budget, and on time for grant requirements.