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Nowhere but up for airport job

Date Posted: June 27 2008

GRAND RAPIDS - It's called the "Ramp Up" project - and indeed a good portion of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport's new parking ramp structure is up, and the signature wavy canopy that will cover pedestrians entering the terminal is taking shape, too.

"It's been a great job, there have been no major issues, and we have a great workforce," said Ryan Anderson, assistant project manager for the Christman Company, which is the general contractor on the project. "We had a harsh winter, but a pretty mild spring, so that really helped us."

Ground was broken on the $118 million construction project on Sept. 6 last year. It will include a new 4,900-space, four-level covered parking ramp and pedestrian sky bridges connecting the ramp to the terminal. In addition to the new canopy cover at the entrance of the terminal, the job will involve new utility work and roadway infrastructure.

In January, the project was dominated by dozens of 35-foot-tall reinforced concrete columns poking up out of the frozen ground, ready to support the new parking deck. Six months later, much of the structure for the deck is in place, although much more concrete remains to be poured in the cast-in-place, post-tension deck.

"Overall the biggest challenge is doing all this work in a fully operational airport, coordinating with the airport and making sure it's a safe environment for the workers here on the job as well as the patrons," said Anderson. "So far everything has gone well."

According to the airport, the work will also "address a number of customer concerns," including more close-in parking, covered parking, protection from the elements, and improved rental car facilities.

"Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the second busiest airport in the state and among the top 15 percent most active airports in the country," said Kent County Department of Aeronautics Executive Director Jim Koslosky, during the project's groundbreaking. "We are the first and last impression many people have of Grand Rapids and Michigan's West Coast, and we work hard to make sure that impression is a good one."

The airport currently serves approximately two million passengers annually. This project is expected to be complete in 2009.

THE FRAMEWORK for the canopy leading to the passenger entrance for the Gerald R. Ford Airport in Grand Rapids is assembled by Local 340 iron workers employed by Steelcon.
A FOUR-INCH PVC floor drain is installed in the new parking deck at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport by apprentice Matt Bilotti, left, and journeyman Steve Fox of Plumbers, Pipe Fitters and Service Trades Local 174, working for Riteway.