Punxsutawney Airport Apron Expansion

Rhea Engineers & Consultants, Inc. (Rhea) was contracted by the Punxsutawney Municipal Airport to provide environmental and engineering services as part of the Airport’s plans to expand the existing asphalt apron. Rhea prepared an engineering report to present the basis for and summarize the calculations used in preparing the contract specifications and plans for the apron expansion project (Project). In preparation for construction activities, Rhea was tasked with preparing a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit to be submitted to the Jefferson County Conservation District, as well as a Construction Safety and Phasing Plan (CSPP) and Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Permitting for this project was especially complex because of a protected stream and wetlands located at the site.

Rhea developed a design for the new asphalt apron that included three new airplane tie downs. In order to expand the apron, an existing drainage swale needed to be filled in with embankment fill and an enclosed culvert pipe to allow water passage through the new embankment. Rhea worked closely with the Jefferson County Conservation District and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to ensure the embankment fill did not impact USACE jurisdictional waters or wetlands, and that the correct permitting procedures were followed for enclosing the stream within the drainage swale.

The Project also included stormwater and erosion control design, which consisted of an underground stormwater detention and infiltration system, a vegetated swale, and culvert inlet and outlet protection.

Services: Environmental Services

Industries: Aviation