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Lincoln Airport sees unexpectedly low bids for major runway reconstruction

Lincoln Airport sees unexpectedly low bids for major runway reconstruction
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Joe Petrie Editor & Chief | AviationPros

The Lincoln Airport is set to embark on one of its most significant projects with the reconstruction of its runway. The project received a positive surprise when bids came in lower than expected. David Haring, the executive director of the airport, expressed his satisfaction, noting that although this will be the largest project in the airport's history, it was unexpected for bids to be significantly under initial projections.

Lincoln-based Constructors Inc., a company specializing in asphalt and concrete projects and owned by NEBCO, submitted the lowest bid at $85 million. This is considerably less than the engineer's estimate of $104 million. In total, six bids were received ranging from $85 million to $111 million from companies located in Kansas City, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Omaha.

Benesch, an engineering consultant based in Chicago and involved with the project, recommended awarding the contract to Constructors Inc. However, Chad Lay, director of planning and development for Lincoln Airport, mentioned that there is a 90-day hold period before any contract award can proceed. This delay is due to pending approval of a grant application by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

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In addition to Constructors Inc., other bidders included Clarkson Construction Company from Kansas City ($88.9 million), Hawkins Construction Company from Omaha ($89.9 million), Graham Construction Inc. also from Omaha ($90.1 million), Michel's Road & Stone Inc. from Brownsville ($101.3 million), and W.W. Clyde & Co. from Englewood ($111.3 million).

The runway reconstruction will involve approximately 13,000 feet of runway at Lincoln Airport which accommodates large planes operated by Nebraska Air National Guard.

Funding for this project will come from various sources including contributions from FAA, Nebraska National Guard, State of Nebraska, and Nebraska Department of Transportation alongside approximately $13 million from Lincoln Airport itself.

A separate development occurred when United Airlines officials announced an additional fifth flight to Chicago during an air service summit held at Lincoln Airport in May—a move welcomed by Rachel Barth who oversees Air Service Development and Strategic Marketing at Lincoln Airport.

Barth noted that flights are often near full capacity which results in some passengers opting for nearby Omaha as an alternative option: “We hear it all the time; the best way to get more service is to use what you have.”

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