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41 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, March 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 24, 2004 Medford airport manager Bern Case, pictured at left, says the $45 million expansion will meet the airport�s needs for the next 20 years. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Bidders line up for airport expansion project New terminal and control tower make up $45 million county and federal effort By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune A $45 million expansion at the Medford airport could get off the ground this summer to build a larger, safer terminal and a terrorist-resistant tower. Thirty construction firms have expressed interest in the five-year project, and airport officials have given them until March 3 to submit their bids. The finalist will be chosen in May. Jackson County will oversee $35 million of the project, and the Federal Aviation Administration will be in charge of the construction of a new tower, costing approximately $10 million. This will be the largest single construction project for the county, funded by grants, passenger charges and other airport revenues. The airport has $29 million of the money already lined up, and airport director Bern Case anticipates the remainder will come from the federal government during the course of the project. Advertisement "We have enough to get us started," he said. Part of the funding — $2.3 million — will come from the Transportation Security Administration. Plans call for installation of utilities and a new parking area this summer. By next year, work should begin on the new terminal, which will be located to the west of the old facility in what is now the short-term parking area. The existing terminal, which will be torn down in 2007, is too close to the runway area, according to Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The structure also doesn’t meet earthquake standards and wouldn’t withstand the blast of a car bomb. An administrative building also will be torn down, and the offices will be relocated in the second story of the new terminal. During part of the expansion, Case said passengers might have to walk through temporary "plywood tunnels" to get to and from planes. Case said the new tower will allow better visibility of the runway and meet tougher federal standards imposed since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. "It’s going to be blast-friendly," he said. The new facilities will meet the airport’s needs for the next 20 years, supporting a million passengers annually compared to about 500,000 now. Ashland resident Tony Ashburn, who flies out of Medford about four times a year, thought the expansion would help the local economy, and potentially stimulate interest in international flights. "I hope more airlines come in, and then there’ll be more competition," he said. "It costs so much to fly out of here." But another Ashland resident, John Stadelman, couldn’t seen any purpose in the expansion. "It’s the Medford airport," he said. "It’s so silly." Case said the size of the existing terminal is already causing headaches for airlines and passengers. The area where screened passengers wait for their flight is too small, occasionally exceeding occupancy capacities set by the city of Medford. This area would be increased in size from 2,242 square feet to 7,000 square feet. The security screening area, which is now 1,670 square feet, would be increased to 12,100 square feet to meet expanded requirements after the terrorist attacks of 9-11. Two separate restaurants will be built, one serving passengers in the screened waiting area and another for those in the main lobby. Only plastic utensils will be handed out to customers. "We don’t want to screen them for knives, then issue them one," said Case. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., plans to push through additional funding for the project in a federal transportation bill. "We’re just in the beginning stages," said Dallas Boyd, Walden’s press secretary. "We’ll make a formal funding request in the next few weeks." A look from start to finish Airport officials expect construction on the $45 million project to take five years. The following time line and costs are estimates: May 17: Contracting firm is selected. June 9: Contracts are signed. July 1: Construction begins on utilities, plumbing and parking at a cost of $4.9 million. 2005: Work on new $22 million terminal begins. Includes $4.5 million in equipment such as five loading bridges, baggage handling, elevators and boilers. 2006: New tower work begins about 300 yards to the southwest of the existing structure at a cost of about $10 million. This project is being funded separately by the Federal Aviation Administration. 2007: Old terminal is torn down. 2008: New ramp and tarmac are installed for planes, with a price tag of $3.2 million. June 30, 2009: Project is complete. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times