By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Lighting on the crosswind runway at Hays Regional Airport needs to be replaced.
"This project has been on the airport capital improvement program for a little while and it's on the [overall] 2020 capital improvement plan," John Braun, project manager told Hays city commissioners Thursday night.
Crosswind runway 4-22 was constructed in 2003. Direct bury wiring was used for the runway edge lighting and has deteriorated, according to Jamie Salter, airport manager.
"There are no significant major problems that we've experienced," Salter reported, "but I did speak with the lighting engineer at Burns and McDonnell earlier this week and he said the average life expectancy for the current system in place is about 10 to 12 years.
"So next year, we'll be well beyond that at 17 [years]."
Salter said the new system's average life expectancy is about 20 years although they can last much longer.
The lighting upgrade to a can and conduit system utilizing LED lights will enhance airfield safety while also reducing maintenance and energy costs, she added.
The project includes new Runway End Identifier Lights (REILs, Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPIs, new lighted signs and a new vault and regulators.
The FAA has ranked the project as a priority and will fund 90 percent of the project cost.
City commissioners reviewed a design engineering agreement with Burns and McDonnell for $95,050. The firm has been the city's airport engineer since 2006.
The agreement will be on the Dec. 12 commission agenda.
Hays Regional Airport crosswind runway
Construction cost is estimated at $1,023,650 for a total project cost of $1,118,700. The city's cost would be 10 percent of that, or $111,870.
The work, projected to begin in late 2020, will require periodic shutdowns of the crosswind runway.