Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Board moving forward with a two-phase apron expansion project designed to accommodate larger aircraft and provide additional overflow parking.
Garver Engineering Representative Ryan Sisemore said the project has already secured grant funding and completed necessary geotechnical surveys. The first phase of construction, expected to go out for bid in late winter, will focus on stormwater improvements and initial fill work between the runway and taxiway to address existing erosion issues.
“That is your apron expansion for the larger, heavier aircraft, and also just to give you additional overflow parking,” Sisemore said. “It’s a very expensive project, so we’re having to balance how much we bid with the amount of funding that we anticipate being available for the project.”
Engineer Richard Rinks said the board must coordinate carefully because the planned expansion sits near a sinkhole that handles groundwater drainage for the facility. He said the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation may require the airport to detain water coming off the new paved surfaces to prevent contamination.
“All that water goes to the south down there,” Rinks said. “If there happened to be a spill or anything, that could get into the groundwater going to this apron.”
Sisemore said the second phase of the project will involve finishing the fill work and completing the concrete surface. The engineering team is currently finalizing the design to meet a February deadline for the construction application.
“We’re working hard to get that project designed and ready for bid in late winter,” Sisemore said. “First phase is underway, and we’ll have more to report as we finalize that and move into bidding.”
Rinks said the proximity to the sinkhole means the airport might need to install an oil water separator to protect the groundwater in the event of a fuel spill on the new apron.
Sisemore said his team is familiar with the sinkhole and will meet with Rinks to ensure the design addresses those environmental concerns.