Runway Safety Area Improvements, Runway 13/31 – Dane County Regional Airport

Madison, Wisconsin

The Runway Safety Area (RSA) around Runway 13/31 was identified as non-compliant by the FAA in the year 2000 RSA determination.  Mead & Hunt developed alternatives to bring the runway’s RSA into FAA compliance.  These planning efforts included justifying the existing runway length.  Mead & Hunt prepared the Environmental Assessment (EA) for this project. 

The preferred RSA improvement alternative, which also clears up the approaches for Runway 13 and 18 and eliminates the non-standard pavement markings included:

• Relocation of 2.4 miles of freight rail line, designed to also accommodate future high speed
• Relocation of one mile of a county highway
• Relocation of over one mile of creek
• Relocation of perimeter road and fencing
• Land acquisition and land releases
• DOT Section 4(f) and Land & Water Conservation Fund 6(f) property takings

Project impacts included those in a State Natural Area.  Special studies and extensive agency and stakeholder coordination was conducted during the project, which included development of a comprehensive on-site mitigation plan due to the unique resources impacted.

Mead & Hunt designed this $28 million project, including final plans and specifications, permits, rezoning, and bid package. The complex design included over 3,000 feet of land bridge over sensitive wetlands and coordination with the railway, City and County for rail, utility, creek and highway relocations.  A phasing plan to minimize disruption to airport operations and to avoid closing the county highway was developed as part of the design.

Public involvement included a mailing during the EA, public workshop, and preparation of a media kit for the construction phase.