HomeMy WebLinkAboutA037 - Runway 01/19 Reconstruction Project at James Herman Banning Ames Municipal Airport UpdateITEM #:40
DEPT:PW
May 26, 2026
Staff Report
UPDATE ON RUNWAY 01/19 RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT
BACKGROUND:
Runway 01/19 is the primary runway at the Ames Municipal Airport and has reached a
condition where full reconstruction is needed to maintain long-term operational reliability and
safety. The existing pavement has a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score of 45 out of
100 and is in need of full replacement.
On April 8, 2025, the City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Bolton &
Menk, Inc. for project design, FAA coordination, construction phasing, bidding documents, and
grant administration. On September 9, 2025, the City Council accepted an FAA Airport
Improvement Program (AIP) grant agreement in the amount of $1,140,095 to fund the design
phase of the project.
The construction and inspection portion of the project continues to be coordinated with
FAA staff regarding future construction grant timing and eligibility. This portion of the
project is programmed in the City’s Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) in two fiscal years:
FY 2025/26 ($10,635,000) and FY 2026/27 ($16,440,000), for a project total of
$27,075,000.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The project includes full reconstruction of Runway 01/19 and associated airfield
improvements, including certain taxiways, lighting, drainage, grading, signage, and pavement
markings necessary to maintain FAA design standards and long-term operational functionality.
The runway is being designed to support regular use by larger business jet aircraft, with a
proposed pavement section intended to accommodate aircraft operations up to approximately
100,000 pounds without special operating restrictions. This is not an absolute regulatory limit;
larger aircraft may still be accommodated on a case-by-case basis when operational
conditions, pavement capacity, and airport procedures allow.
Although the Airport Master Plan conceptualizes a future extension to the existing
length of Runway 01/19, there is no extension included as part of this project at this
time. However, the proposed improvements are being designed so that a future runway
1
extension could be considered without jeopardizing the improvements included in this
project. The future runway profile would continue from the elevations established at the
south end of the current reconstruction limits.
GRANT APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION TIMING:
The FAA has indicated that construction funding is anticipated to be awarded through
two separate grants over two federal fiscal years. Staff intends to bring preliminary plans
and specifications to the City Council for consideration to solicit bids at the June 9, 2026
meeting, with bid results and contract award anticipated for consideration at the July 14, 2026
meeting.
Following bid receipt and a conditional award which will be contingent upon FAA grant
approval, Staff expects to apply for the first FAA construction grant, with the first grant
offer award anticipated in August or September 2026 . The second FAA construction grant
application is anticipated after October 1, 2026, with the second grant offer award anticipated
in Spring 2027, likely around May 2027.
The project is being designed with separate Notices to Proceed (NTP) tied to the
applicable FAA grant awards . NTP #1 would authorize preparatory work, drainage, and
some runway paving following the first grant offer award in 2026. NTP #2 would
authorize the remaining major 2027 construction phases after the second grant
authorization is in place.
This structure is intended to limit the City’s financial exposure while ensuring that each
authorized portion of work results in a usable unit of work and does not leave the
runway in an unusable condition. If the second FAA grant offer award is delayed, NTP
#2 could also be delayed. This could compress the 2027 construction window,
extending runway closure periods later into the 2027 construction season, or require
additional work to carry over into 2028.
Preparatory work and drainage improvements are anticipated in late 2026 without runway
closures. Major runway paving and runway closure activities are planned for calendar
year 2027, with Runway 01/19 closed from April through October 2027 and Runway
13/31 closed from July through September 2027. Remaining Phase 3 work, restoration,
punch list items, and project closeout activities are anticipated to extend into 2028, including a
temporary Runway 13/31 closure in March and April 2028.
PROJECT SCHEDULE AND PHASING:
The schedule below summarizes the anticipated grant sequence, Notices to Proceed,
construction phases, and runway closures. The overall schedule remains dependent on
FAA grant timing, annual federal funding availability, issuance of Notices to Proceed,
and final approval of the Construction Safety and Phasing Plan.
2
Activity Jun
2026
Jul
2026
Aug
2026
Sep
2026
Oct
2026
Nov
2026
Dec
2026
Jan
2027
Feb
2027
Mar
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Apr
2027
May
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Jun
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Jul
2027
Aug
2027
Sep
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Oct
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Jan
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Bid Opening
Grant Application #1
Grant Offer #1 Award
NTP #1
Grant Application #2
(earliest submittal)
Grant Offer #2 Award
NTP #2
Phase 1 Preparatory Work
Phase 1 Major Construction
Phase 2 Intersection Work
Phase 3 Work
Punch List / Final
Restoration
Runway 01/19 Availability
Runway 13/31 Availability
Legend: Bid / Grant Application / Grant Offer Notice to Proceed (NTP) Potential Grant Offer Window Construction
Activity Runway Open Runway Closed
Phase Description
Phase 1
Preparatory
Work
Limited preparatory work in late 2026, including select storm sewer, grading west of
Taxiway A, and northeast access improvements. This work is anticipated to occur
without runway closures.
Phase 1
Major
Construction
Major Runway 01/19 reconstruction work excluding the Runway 13/31 intersection area.
Runway 01/19 would be closed during this phase while Runway 13/31 remains open.
Phase 2 Runway 01/19 and Runway 13/31 intersection reconstruction. This phase requires
closure of both runways and represents the most critical operational closure period.
Phase 3
Remaining work outside the Runway 01/19 Runway Object Free Zone, including
Runway 13/31, taxiway, lighting, signage, pavement marking, shoulder, and tie-in
improvements. Runway 01/19 is anticipated to be open, with Runway 13/31 temporarily
closed again in March and April 2028.
Punch List /
Final
Restoration
Final punch list, restoration, and project closeout activities anticipated in 2028, with only
single-runway closures expected as needed.
STAFF COMMENTS:
No action is being requested of the City Council with this report. This update is
intended to provide notice that construction funding is anticipated to be awarded
through two separate FAA grants and that the construction plans and specifications
are being prepared with phased Notices to Proceed to address FAA grant timing.
Staff continues to coordinate with Bolton & Menk and regional FAA staff regarding final design,
construction phasing, operational impacts, and funding strategy. The current schedule reflects
3
anticipated FAA grant sequencing and available federal funding levels while attempting to
minimize impacts to airport users, tenants, and Fixed Base Operator (FBO) operations.
Runway 01/19 is anticipated to be closed from April through October 2027. Runway
13/31 is anticipated to be closed from July through September 2027, including the
runway intersection work. During the runway-runway intersection work, both runways
will be closed, resulting in a full closure of Airport flight operations. Outside of that full-
closure period, the phasing is intended to maintain limited Airport operations where
feasible, although operations will be constrained by runway, taxiway, and construction
area closures. Runway 13/31 is also anticipated to be temporarily closed in March and
April 2028 for remaining Phase 3 work.
The construction contract is anticipated to use multiple Notices to Proceed tied to FAA grant
authorizations. Staff intends to maximize eligible work included in the first grant offer to the
extent feasible, while maintaining the phased NTP structure to preserve operational flexibility,
minimize financial exposure to the City, and keep the Airport functional as work progresses.
FAA staff has informed City staff that the current intent is to award a second
construction grant for the remaining eligible runway project costs. While City staff
believes the risk is low, the second grant could be delayed or not awarded as
anticipated. The plans and specifications are being prepared so each authorized
portion of work results in a usable unit of work and the Airport can be left in a
functional condition if grant timing changes. A delay in the second grant could
compress the 2027 construction window, extend runway closure periods later into the
season, or require additional work to carry over into 2028.
This strategy is intended to allow authorized work to proceed while limiting the City’s
financial exposure if the second grant is delayed or not awarded as anticipated. The
City Council will have additional opportunities to consider project approvals, award
actions, grant agreements, and any necessary project adjustments at future meetings.
Staff will continue coordination with airport tenants, FAA representatives, emergency
service providers, and other stakeholders as the project advances toward bidding and
construction. Additional updates will be provided as project milestones are reached, FAA
funding commitments are finalized, and construction phasing details continue to develop.
No action is being requested from the City Council at this time. However, because of
the unusual nature of a two part grant process, staff wants the City Council to be aware
of the planned approach prior to being asked to take action on the first grant submittal.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Project Overview Map
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DESIGNED
DRAWN
CHECKED
CLIENT PROJ. NO.
ISSUED FOR DATENO.AMES MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
RECONSTRUCT RUNWAY 1/19
0T5.136121
1519 BALTIMORE DRIVE
AMES, IA 50010
Phone: (515) 233-6100
Email: Ames@bolton-menk.com
www.bolton-menk.comR
CDW
CDW
JPR
KEY MAP
1
WORK AREA BY YEARFEETSCALE
0 300 600
HORZ.
R
LEGEND
AIRPORT PROPERTY LINE
AIRPORT PERIMETER FENCE
2026 WORK AREA
2027 WORK AREA
2028 WORK AREA
PROP
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5