The Bureau of Airport Engineering oversees the planning, programming,
environmental analysis, design, construction, land acquisition and materials
certification for publicly owned airports in Illinois. The bureau has
five sections that are listed below:
Airport Planning and Programming Section -
The Airport Planning and Programming Section, as required
by state law, oversees the planning and development of the
Illinois State Airport System (ISAS), one of the largest in the
United States. ISAS includes a range of airport sizes and
configurations.
Airport Planning and Programming reviews and produces numerous
reports and recommendations and has oversight on:
Illinois Airport Budget preparation & oversight
Illinois State Aviation System Plan (ISASP)
Illinois Airport Pavement Management System (PMS)
Illinois Airport Hazard Zoning Regulations (AHZR)
Airport Master Plan (AMP) preparation
Airport Layout Plan (ALP) preparation
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Planning preparation
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 77 Airspace
Coordination
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review & approval
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150 Noise
Compatibility Studies
Airport Design Section - The Airport
Design Section ensures that all airport improvement
projects are designed and specified in a professional, cost
effective manner and are in accordance with state and federal
criteria. The section also oversees all aspects of airport
improvement projects from their announcement in the Illinois
Airport Improvement Program through the letting and award
process.
The section ensures that all design activities comply with all
regulations in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Advisory Circulars
and with State standards and laws.
Some of the other duties of the section include:
Reviewing projects with the Planning Section to be included in
the five year proposed Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
Pre-qualifying consulting engineering firms for airport design and
construction inspection services.
The Design Section is also responsible for writing and updating the
Standard Specifications for Construction of Airports.
Setting up and presiding over pre-design meetings.
Reviewing and approving Engineering Agreements between the airport
sponsors and the consulting engineering firms.
Reviewing and approving Engineering Reports to ensure that all
feasible design and construction alternatives have been identified,
explored and justified. The final design plans and specifications cannot
be started until this approval is granted.
Reviewing and approving the plans and specifications to ensure that
they strictly adhere to the guidelines in the engineering report and
that they are complete and suitable for public letting.
Reviewing the bids for all projects let and making the award or
rejecting the bid.
Conducting negotiations with the low bidder to ensure the lowest
possible construction costs.
Reviewing and approving design invoices submitted by the consultant
engineering firms.
Oversight on Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE).
Airport Construction Section - The
Airport Construction Section administers the construction
phase of airport improvement projects involving federal and/or
state funds. This phase begins when a construction project is
awarded to the low bid contractor and carriers. The
section, through onsite visits and cooperation with the
consulting engineers, ensures that the airport improvement
projects are constructed in accordance with the approved plans
and specifications and that FAA and IDOT policies are followed.
The section ensures that all construction activities comply with the
regulations contained in the Federal Aviation Administration's Advisory
Circulars. Also, the consulting engineers must submit the proper
paperwork in accordance with the Illinois Department of Transportation,
Division of Aeronautics Construction Policy and Procedures Manual.
Some of the duties of the section include:
Setting up and presiding over pre-construction and final
inspection meetings.
Approving contractor construction progress payments.
Reviewing and approving construction inspection invoices submitted
by the consulting engineer.
Approving or disapproving any extra work to the contract and
ensuring the proposed change is eligible for state and/or federal
funding.
Resolving construction problems and contractor claims.
Verifying that the approved safety plan is being followed.
Processing final documentation for the construction projects, which
includes final acceptance of the project, agreement of quantities with
the contractor, approving contract time extensions and/or assessing
liquidated damages, and reviewing any engineering amendments.
Airport Materials Section - The Airport
Materials Section assures that high quality materials
meeting the requirements of the contract specifications are used
for the construction of airports and airport improvement
projects. The section conducts onsite visits and cooperates with
consulting engineers, airport managers, contractors and all
those involved in completing the project and that FAA and IDOT
policies are followed.
Some duties of the section include:
Establishing and updating all materials related policies,
specifications & forms in accordance with FAA & IDOT criteria.
Reviewing and approving all job mix formulas for PCC and bituminous
mixtures.
Reviewing and approving all proposed changes in materials.
Reviewing and approving all material substitutions.
Reviewing and approving material quality control plans.
Completing a materials review and subsequent Materials Certification
of all materials.
Establish and update the Manual of Documentation for Airport
Materials.
Evaluate new materials and material technology for application to
airport construction.
Airport Land Acquisition Section - The
Airport Land Acquisition Section plans and administers all
airport land purchase functions for the Division. Land
Acquisition ensures that all airport land purchases using
federal and state funds conform to established laws, policies
and procedures. The section reviews all appraisals,
negotiations, acquisitions and relocation assistance
requirements for all land required to maintain the Illinois
Airport System Plan.
This section ensures that all land and aviation easement acquisition
activities are conducted in accordance with FAA policies and procedures
outlined in the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property
Acquisition Act of 1970 (Public Law 910-646) and the Uniform Relocation
Act Amendments of 1987.
Some tasks of the section include:
Guidance and assistance for the equitable relocation of
displaced individuals, families, businesses and farm operations.
Managing acquired land.
Managing and disposing of acquired improvements, land and aviation
easements no longer required for airport purposes.
Oversight on potential condemnation action by an airport sponsor.
