A Safety Improvement Program at the Lake in the Hills Airport is underway.  This program is funded through a Federal and State grant as well as revenues generated at the airport.  Federal and State funds provide 97.5% funding for project costs.  The program includes several projects aimed at making airport facilities current to FAA standards.  The end result is to enhance safety and increase efficiency of airport operations.

Why is this program important?

The Lake in the Hills Airport is a public airport.  And this airport is also a reliever to O’Hare International Airport.  The airport was originally a privately owned airport.  As such its construction was not required to meet FAA standards.  In 1984 the Village of Lake in the Hills acquired the airport and the airport became a public airport.  Now being a public airport open to the public for General Aviation use and being a reliever to O’Hare, the FAA has mandated that the airport must be brought into compliance with current FAA safety standards.  Meeting current standards requires funding and time.  As such the FAA has granted a temporary waiver to the current safety standards.  In essence the FAA has allowed the airport to continue to operate despite not meeting current FAA standards.  But as noted this is a temporary condition and the airport must be brought into compliance.  The Airport Safety Improvement Program is aimed at bringing the airport into compliance with current FAA Safety Standards.

Projects (Completed, Underway and Scheduled through 2013)

The following summarizes significant projects that make up the Safety Improvement Program.  These are categorized as completed, underway or future projects.  Scheduling and staging of future projects are subject to change depending on FAA and State funding availability and appropriation.

Pyott Road Relocation

Pyott Road was shifted to the east moving it further away from the existing runway.  This shift increases separation between aircraft traffic and motor vehicular traffic which enhances the overall safety in this area.  Land acquisition for this project was completed in phases which occurred in 2005 and 2007.  The construction started in 2008 and was completed in 2010.

New Parallel Taxiway (Taxiway A)

Construction of a new parallel taxiway is a component of the safety improvement plan.  The new taxiway is shifted away from the existing runway.  This shift increases separation between the runway and new taxiway.  The separation meets FAA safety criteria and enhances safety at the airport.  Drainage and earthwork is the first Phase or Phase 1 for the taxiway.  Phase 1 was completed in October 2011.  Phase 2 includes paving the new taxiway.  Phase 2 of the new taxiway is scheduled for significant completion in November 2011.  Final landscaping and completion of punch list items are scheduled for the spring of 2012.

Wildlife Hazard Assessment

Certain wildlife species can create safety issues at airports.  The species that immediately come to mind are birds.  As we all know birds can collide with moving aircraft.  These collisions can result in aircraft malfunction which is a serious safety concern.  Other species may present hazards as well.  Deer on an active runway may lead to aircraft impacts or erratic deviation off of a runway.  To evaluation wildlife hazards at the airport the USDA is developing a Wildlife Hazard Assessment Report.

This assessment is a process that includes surveys of existing wildlife at and in the vicinity of the airport.  The assessment will help identify potential hazards caused by wildlife.  Using the assessment the most effective method to mitigate the hazards could be considered.  A final report is due from the USDA in April of 2012.

Extended Perimeter Fencing

Fencing at airport facilities provides security by keeping unauthorized persons from entering into sensitive areas.  In addition fencing helps to mitigate wild life encroachments by keeping animals such as deer and coyotes from entering airport runway areas.  The airport currently has fencing that covers approximately 75% of the perimeter boundaries.  A project to extend the perimeter fencing is currently in the Design phase.  This project will extend the perimeter fencing at the airport which will cover 100% of the perimeter boundary.  An electric gate and several personnel gates are included to allow access for emergencies and routine maintenance.  The proposed fence is a chain link type, 8 feet in height with 2 feet buried in the ground.  Part of the fence is buried to keep smaller mammals out.  These mammals could be a food source for larger animals like coyotes.  Construction is anticipated in the spring of 2012 with completion in spring/early summer.

Aircraft Parking Apron

A new aircraft parking apron is a component of the safety improvement program.  The new apron will replace the existing apron which will be displaced when the new parallel taxiway is extended.  The new apron is located in the vicinity of a proposed new Terminal facility.  The apron project will be done in two phases.  Phase 1 includes drainage and earthwork.  The FAA did not provide the funds needed for this project in 2011 and 2012.  Therefore construction for Phase 1 is currently deferred to 2013.  Phase 2 includes paving of the new apron.  Phase 2 is anticipated to start in 2014.

Next Steps (2014 & Beyond):

FY 2014

• Complete Apron Construction (Paving)

• Construct Replacement Fuel Facility

• Construct Access Road to New Terminal Area

• Install Water Service to South Apron

• Install Sanitary Service to South Apron

• Acquire Four Hangers for Taxiway Relocation

FY 2015

• Construct New Terminal Building

• Construct Auto Parking

• Construct Replacement Hangar Pavements

FY 2016

• Construct Taxiway, Stage 3 (East End of New Taxiway)

FY 2018

• Reconstruct and Widen Runway

FY 2019

• Install Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS)

• Update Environmental Assessment