Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) operates as a vital hub, accommodating high-volume daily flights and offering a top-tier travel experience for its passengers. RS&H has been an integral part of AUS’s development since 2009, leading significant projects ranging from terminal and apron expansions to new taxiways and landside enhancements, contributing to its position as one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. 

Airport expansion & development program midfield taxiways and associated infrastructure

The City of Austin is reimagining their airport with a comprehensive, multi-year airport expansion program to accommodate record-breaking passenger and airline activities. RS&H is providing project management, preliminary engineering, design, construction administration, and FAA Resident Project Representative (RPR) for the Airport Expansion & Development Program (AEDP), Midfield Taxiways (MFT) and Associated Infrastructure Project.  

With each meticulously engineered element, from taxiways to taxiway bridges, and an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, the project promises to usher in a new era of engineering efficiency, access, and sustainability for air travelers and the city of Austin. This ambitious engineering endeavor embodies the spirit of progress and innovation that propels our world forward. Together, we are engineering the AUS airfield into the future of their development.  

The AEDP will consist of a 20-gate expansion which is the first phase of Concourse B and the MFT project. At the heart of this transformation are the two parallel ADG V, TDG 6 midfield taxiways, Taxiway N and Taxiway P, each stretching approximately 4,170 feet connecting the east and west sides of the airfield and will accommodate unrestricted maneuvering for widebody aircraft, such as the Boeing 777-300. To streamline access to future concourses and further augment maneuvering capabilities, the project introduces one connector Taxiway N2 (western) and plans for another Taxiway N1 (eastern). These taxiways serve a dual purpose, facilitating aircraft movement and providing essential access to future development. For more information about the AEDP, visit https://www.austintexas.gov/AUSJourney. 

Terminal apron expansion

RS&H was selected as the lead civil on a team of consultants for the apron and civil portion of a ten-gate terminal expansion program. RS&H analyzed the existing taxiways, taxilanes, and apron areas to determine the required pavement limits needed to accommodate existing aircraft gate parking, RON parking positions, as well as dual apron edge taxilane configuration. Approximately 394,000 square yards of PCC pavement and 20,200 square yards of asphalt pavement, supported ten new aircraft parking gates and two new apron edge taxilanes.  

The multi-phased project was constructed over three years to match available funding. RS&H staff worked closely with AUS staff, CMAR staff, and the Dallas ADO Manager to develop an AIP Grant funding map for the program.  

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) strategy and on-call environmental planning services

RS&H has performed a long-term on-call for engineering, planning, and environmental services under a general consulting contract. We provided National Environmental Policy Act (or NEPA) strategies and documentation for a variety of projects in AUS (airside, landside, non-aviation development and more). Examples of relevant projects include: 

• Environmental Assessment for General Aviation Development which occupies two leased parcels, and the development of the larger, 21-acre parcel was also dependent upon the relocation of an FAA ductbank.  
• Wildlife Hazard Assessment and Wildlife Hazard Management Plan which contained protocols for responding to hazardous wildlife situations, roles, and responsibilities of airport personnel. 
• A tool to manage the Airport’s Permits-By-Rule program administered by the State of Texas.  
• Completion of the NEPA (CATEX) and 7460 documentations for a parking structure. 
• New parking lot to preserve heritage trees, landscaping, permitting, drainage, revenue control system, and a reclaimed-water irrigation system. 
• Regional Corrosion Control Facility (RCCF) Environmental Compliance related to groundwater management, soil management, and development of a lead-containing hazard assessment. 

Iconic bus shelter

As one of the on-call assignments at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA), RS&H was tasked with designing a bus shelter to replace a simple existing shelter at the terminal curbside. The goals of the Airport were to capture the essence of Austin, on a minimal budget, and make it iconic. RS&H coordinated with several stakeholders including Capital Metro and ABIA Staff to determine the wants, needs, and parameters associated with the shelter. Over 30 submittals were refined to three and presented to ABIA Staff who unanimously selected the guitar concept that they felt captured the intent of the project and reflected the City of Austin and the airport. 

The “guitar” concept represents the iconic symbol of Austin being the “Live Music Capital.” The shelter includes custom steel fabrication in the shape of a guitar with translucent panels and LED lights along the backbone of the guitar. The bus shelter has LED lighting along the backbone of the guitar that will communicate with Capital Metro buses and change colors depending on how far out the bus is from the stop. Other features include charging stations and internet access. The project involved many disciplines including architectural, structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, and communications. 

Airport obstacle analysis tool

RS&H developed an ArcGIS Pro Obstacle Analysis Toolbox to allow airport staff to analyze obstacle data and compare in an extensive database for all airport geographic information systems (GIS) planning surfaces, both existing and future/ultimate. This allows airport staff to determine if any proposed developments impact planning surfaces around the Airport.