Design & Construction
Snow Removal Equipment Facilities
Airfield maintenance crew pose with snow removal equipment.
Maintaining an Alaskan airport in safe working condition during all types of weather requires both a skilled crew and the necessary materials and equipment. The planned construction of the Snow Removal Equipment Facilities (SREF) will allow the dedicated airfield crew to better maintain the airfield year ‘round. The SREF will be built in phases over several years as funding becomes available. When completed, it will include:
- Heated garage for snow removal equipment;
- Mechanics’ workshop;
- Crew quarters;
- Sand/materials storage; and
- Fueling station.
The existing Airfield Maintenance Facilities consist of a maintenance building and several storage sheds around the airfield. A primary role of the maintenance building is to provide shop space for repairing, storing, and staging the snow removal equipment. The existing facilities are severely under-sized and outdated and do not include dry, heated garage areas to store the equipment. Juneau’s geographic and climatic conditions require that the heavy equipment be ready to use whenever snow conditions exist or are forecasted. Keeping the airfield in a safe operating condition through all types of weather is among the airport’s highest priorities.
JNU has secured funding to construct the first phase of the project which will consist of a Snow Removal Equipment Building (SREB). This is a large open-design steel-framed garage that provides heated, indoor storage space for the airport’s fleet of snow removal vehicles. The FAA will provide approximately 93% of the phase I funding with state and local funds paying the balance.
Encompassing approximately 40,000 square feet, the building will be located in the northwest quadrant of the airport property. A geothermal loop field will be an integral part of the building’s heating and ventilation system. The concrete slab floor will include piping for radiant heat. This system provides an energy smart solution that models the airport’s commitment to sustainability.
JNU Airport (partial) aerial site photo.
ECI Architects provided architectural services and led the design team that included:
- civil engineering by DOWL Engineers;
- structural engineering by PND Engineers, Inc.;
- mechanical engineering by PDC Engineers;
- electrical engineering by Haight and Associates, Inc.;
- equipment specialist services by Maintenance Design Group; and
- construction cost estimating by HMS, Inc.
Design rendering of new Snow Removal Equipment Building.
The selected contractor, F & W Construction, will be using many local sub-contractors and local laborers in constructing the Snow Removal Equipment Building. Completion is anticipated by the end of 2017.