Huron County Memorial Airport

Runways 4-22 and 17-35 Lighting Rehab — Bad Axe, MI

In 2016, J. Ranck Electric completed a fast-paced lighting rehabilitation on runways 4-22 and 17-35 at Huron County Memorial Airport south of Bad Axe, MI for the Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics. The 48-calendar-day project consisted of demolishing all the existing runway lights, signs, and bases and installing all new equipment along 8,504 feet of the airports two paved runways. The project also included new taxiway lighting in the safety area of taxiway alpha leading onto runway 17-35, plus replacing the REILs, PAPIs on both runways was added as a large change order.

Situated at 763 feet above sea level and just 18 miles from Lake Huron, one of the biggest challenges of the job was working in the the low lying location and wet soil conditions with a construction schedule during the wettest seasons of the year. Concrete bases were engineered larger and drilled deeper to accommodate the conditions. Trench boxes were used to minimize excavation impact, increase safety by reducing the likelihood of soil caving in, and minimize the need for site restoration of a larger area.

To make this job successful within the tight time-frame, JRE focused on pre-planning the manpower makeup by matching crews abilities with specialized tasks. Ordering and assembling material at JRE’s prefabrication shop, then getting it on-site prior to the job starting was critical in keeping the project moving along smoothly after the jobsite was loaded with manpower and equipment. Crew leaders worked closely with the airport manager to stay informed of when a local Cessna Citation business jet needed use of the larger runway, which was typically several times a week. The project crews always kept in mind the airport’s traffic, limiting construction impact by keeping one runway opened and lit at all times, and throughout the project, earned the trust of the airport manager.

Project Details

Runway lights and concrete bases: 153
Cable: Over 20,000 feet installed
REIL lights and concrete bases: 2 sets
PAPI lights and concrete bases: 2 sets of 4 box
Airfield guidance signage: 18 signs