Michael Baker’s Merritt Island Runway Safety Area Compliance and Shoreline Stabilization project recently received a 2018 Airports Going Green Sustainability Award from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).
Merritt Island Airport, owned and operated by the Titusville Cocoa Airport Authority (TICO), sits within the environmentally sensitive Banana River Aquatic Preserve. This general-aviation airport occupies 129 acres and boasts a single 3,601-foot-long runway and safety area, which is partially surrounded by the Banana River and extends approximately 1,000 feet into Newfound Harbor.
The runway’s safety area had suffered erosion along the riverbank over the years – as much as one foot a year. The runway area extended approximately 60 feet from the water’s edge, falling short of the current 240-foot safety area required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) beyond the end of the runway.
TICO turned to Michael Baker to find a solution that would effectively strike a reasonable balance between ensuring airline passenger safety and good environmental stewardship. In addition to providing environmental analyses, mitigation plans, restoration, engineering, construction management and other services, we also helped the airport secure the necessary permits to initiate and complete the project.
To date, the Merritt Island Runway Safety Area Compliance and Shoreline Stabilization project has received the following recognition:
- 2017 ENR Southeast Best Airport/Transit Project
- 2017 Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE) Honor Award