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scooterbug44

SoWal Expert
May 8, 2007
16,706
3,339
Sowal
Even so, they were NOT going close to the posted speed limit.

Mapquest puts Village Market @395 to VPS at 57 minutes through Destin and 64 minutes via 331 and that doesn't include the slower 331 construction or any of the usual delays.
 
Last edited:

Kurt

Admin
Oct 15, 2004
2,290
4,998
SoWal
mooncreek.com
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
Construction update: 1-7-10

Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airside Contract: The project is currently 95% complete with 89% of the contract time used. The project’s Main Access Road and parking areas are structurally complete excepting the final surface course that will be installed during facility commissioning. The 1,600 lf extension of RW 16-34 and Taxiway D were approved on 25-
Nov-09; work is now moving forward in an expedited fashion. 6 of eight concrete paving lanes are in place. Centerline cans are now being set. The final lanes and profilograph will be completed before the 18-Jan flight check.

• 84,798 tons of asphalt pavement in place (78% of both airside and landside). 183,929 sy of landside lime rock base and 189,767 sy of flightline P-211 lime rock base have been installed in accordance with the project specifications.
62,272 cy of the 67,233 cy of 15” concrete runway pavement and 14“ main terminal apron is in place (99% of ultimate volume).
• 99% of the RCP storm sewer installations are complete (44,276 lf). 119,250 lf of perforated under-drain has been installed along the taxiways and runways (75% of total).
• 110,390 lf of electrical lighting ductbank and lighting conduit has been installed (95% of design quantity), 205,655 lf of counterpoise and grounding systems (69% of design). 87 base can plazas, 302 taxiway edge lights, and 377 runway light cans, and 44 signs are now complete (75% of design).
• Airfield Lighting Vault is 40% complete. Factory acceptance testing of the ALCS control systems was successfully completed with Crouse Hinds on 09-Dec-09.
• Project is scheduled to begin the FAA flightcheck the week of 18-Jan. The project is on schedule to meet this milestone.

Contract 2: Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings: The contract is approx 76% complete with 75% of the time utilized. The installation of the Tower Cab for the ATCT was completed September 23rd which should allow time to complete mechanical, electrical, plumbing and finishes in time for the FAA mobilization to the structure in January 2010.
• Terminal Building:
• Progress continues with approximately 68% of the work complete as of the end of December.
• The installation of the metal roofing panels are 60% complete with just the west elevation left, however, roof
decking is in place and this area has been dried-in.
• Skylights are installed and complete in all areas of Terminal roofing.
• Storefront windows at all areas around terminal are 90% complete, front vestibules are left to be installed.
• Ground Faced CMU block is complete at all exterior elevations.
• Escalator installed at main Connector Hall and Concourse, with approximately 60% complete.
• Glue-lam canopy installation is complete with the exception of metal roofing panels which will tie-in the remaining
west roofing.
• Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing rough-in continues at all areas and levels and is 85% complete.
• Cold formed metal framing is (CFMF) is 85% complete all areas of the Terminal.
• Baggage Handling Area:
• Baggage handling equipment 100% installed, electrical tie-in and testing remain.
• ETD room 80% complete along with OSR and breakrooms.
• L-3 Machines arrived and were installed on December 14th.
• Air Traffic Control Tower:
• Internal stairs 100% installed, glazing installed at Tower Cab.
• Exterior of concrete structure rubbed down and first coat of primer applied.
• Elevator is being installed and is 75% complete.
• Electrical and mechanical are 85% complete up through the Tower Cab.
• Metal wall framing and drywall in progress and continues on all floors.
• Terminal Support Facilities:
• Air Cargo Facility, Air Maintenance Facility:
• 1st layer of asphalt at ACF complete,
• AMF Shed west installation continues with 45% complete.
• AMF site work is near 85% complete.
• Public Safety Building:
• Completed metal panel roofing at Admin area.
• Interior metal wall framing and drywall at 65% complete.
• MEP is 75% complete with air handling unit and fire sprinkler system being installed.
• Site work is 90% complete
• Rental Car Facility:
• Paving is in progress at both north and south parking.
• Site lighting continues north and is progressing to south.
• Site work continues with 95% of curb and gutter complete.
• Rock base is currently being installed.
• Footings for the Fuel Island Canopy continue with approximately 75% complete.
• Metal wall and drywall at 75% complete.
Contract 3: Utility Contract: The contract is approximately 80% complete with 88% of the time utilized. 12” water
main system was flushed and tested allowing the terminal building the use of construction water.
• 21,654 lf of 12” water main installed from CR-388 north Loop Road & GA Roadway
• 16,619 lf of 8” sanitary force main completed onsite and along CR-388.
• 23,722 lf of 3W2” power distribution duct bank installed
• 36,714 lf of street light duct work installed along the main access road.
• 6,849 lf of 6Wx4” concrete encased power distribution duct bank
• 8,583 lf of 30” water main along GA Road.
• 7,998’ lf. 24” water main along Joyner Road
• 68 fire hydrants installed
• 80% of lift station completed to date
• 100% of the overhead power line and 100% of the power cable installed by Gulf Power.
• Booster Pump Station 75% completed
• Fuel Farm 78% completed
Contract 4: Landscape/Hardscape Contract: The contract is approximately 50% complete with 50% of the contract
time utilized.
• Sod placed along main roadway north of intersection and along Loop Road
• Erosion control measures being maintained along roadways.
• Watering of all sod as needed.
Contract 5: NAVAIDs:
• 8,800 lf of 2 way 2” conduit (98% complete) and 905 lf 2 way 4” conduit (44% complete).
• RWY 16 Instrument Landing System: North side systems are approximately 91% in place
• RWY 16 Medium Intensity Approach Light System (MALSR) now approximately 19% complete.
• RTR Shelter & Tower Installation: Civil Contractor to complete 30,000 cy of earthen foundation by 01-Feb. Systems
in place by mid-Feb
• Project scope amended to include $160,000 Airport Sponsor purchase and installation of all radio communications
equipment. Scope and Design of VHF and UHF Air Traffic Control Tower Radio Communications Equipment still
being developed by PBS&J.
Contract 6: Project Landside Signage: The contract is approximately 20% complete.
• Concrete footings installed for Main access road signs
• 80% of Submittals approved
 

DCFinSCB

Beach Fanatic
Jul 27, 2007
306
23
Ol' Point Washingtern, FL
Found this on a blog, the drive times were measured by a reporter from the PC paper.

Drive times from NWFBIA to:

  1. The east entrance to State Road 30A in east Walton County, 21 minutes
  2. The intersection with County Road 295, which ends at Seaside and WaterColor, 29 minutes
  3. The intersection with County Road 283, which ends at Grayton Beach, 31 minutes
  4. The intersection with County Road 393, which ends at Dune Allen Beach, 37 minutes
  5. The west entrance to 30A, 40 minutes
  6. The Silver Sands shopping area, 46 minutes
  7. Destin Commons, 51 minutes.



And, in reverse order, here is how long it took to drive to the same points from Okaloosa County?s airport:

  1. Destin Commons, 26 minutes
  2. Silver Sands, 34 minutes
  3. The west entrance to 30A, 40 minutes
  4. County Road 393, 43 minutes
  5. County Road 283, 48 minutes
  6. County Road 395, 50 minutes
  7. East entrance to 30A, 59 minutes
So if you are a traveler heading to points west of the west entrance of 30A, you will save a few minutes if you begin your drive from Okaloosa County?s airport. But if you are heading to points east of the west entrance of 30A, then you would be better off beginning from the new Bay County Airport.


Of course, the real lesson here is that the difference in drive time is negligible.

And once the "causeway", "expressway", or whatever they call it is built, drive times to Beaches Airport drop even more, but your stop at Waffle House on-the-way just became out-of-the-way.
 

Kurt

Admin
Oct 15, 2004
2,290
4,998
SoWal
mooncreek.com
The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., the world's largest commercial real estate services firm, to market for sale or lease more than 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of St. Joe's land adjacent to the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport for commercial development. The airport is scheduled to open May 23, 2010.


"As we anticipate the opening of the airport, we are pleased to announce this relationship with CB Richard Ellis," said St. Joe's President and CEO, Britt Greene. "This key agreement will help further establish Northwest Florida as a major business hub and facilitate the expansion of business and commerce in the West Bay Sector Plan."



CB Richard Ellis will be undertaking a major effort to solicit global office, retail and industrial users for this prime development location. The site is part of approximately 71,000 acres (28,700 hectares) that St. Joe owns within the West Bay Sector Plan, a large mixed-use master-planned project located in Bay County in Northwest Florida.


"The Northwest Florida region offers tremendous opportunities and potential to the global marketplace and we are very excited to participate in the development of this region," said Robert McFarlane, Senior Vice President, CB Richard Ellis Global Corporate Services. "St. Joe's greenfield land in the West Bay Sector is strategically located to provide growth oriented companies with ample capacity and vast expansion opportunities for the future, as well as easy access to the new airport, a deepwater port and rail connections."


The West Bay Sector Plan is anchored by the new 4,000 acre (1,600 hectare) Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, which is scheduled to open on May 23, 2010.
 

Kurt

Admin
Oct 15, 2004
2,290
4,998
SoWal
mooncreek.com
You just might have a problem if you can't find your ponds.

Airport Continues to Deal with Storm Water Issues

On January 26th, Airport Director Randy Curtis sent this letter to Finch
regarding the on-going storm water runoff problems at the new airport site.

"There are issues with stabilization of the site, over grassing, and sodding issues," Curtis said.

Curtis says all of these issues have led to some hefty fines by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

A few days later, Curtis received this letter from Finch, which claims the site stabilization plan is incorrect.

Finch also says the Airport Authority has failed to pay him in a timely fashion.
Finch declined to comment, but claims all of these problems had a negative financial impact on his company and is limiting his ability to plan the work.

The dispute in now going to third party mediation, and could wind-up in court.

We've also learned the Florida DEP issued a $55,000 fine after heavy rain last month created a breach in south end of the airport site's storm water run-off system.

That breach caused dirt, silt and other debris to contaminate Burnt Mill Creek. The DEP has also granted construction crews permission to increase turbidity levels for two-areas at the site, which could speed up the drainage from the storm water retention ponds.

"Because the water is still sitting on top of us. We've got to get it off of us so we can find the ponds," Jeff Dealy, KBR's Program manager.

Airport board members have yet to sign off on that DEP consent order, saying they need more time to clarify some of the numbers.

The board will meet again this Friday to address this latest consent order from the DEP,which includes the fines.

Construction crews say the storm-water drainage system should be in-place in-time for the airport's opening in May.
 

Kurt

Admin
Oct 15, 2004
2,290
4,998
SoWal
mooncreek.com
As reported by The News Herald:
Dan Rowe, executive director of the Bay County Tourism Development Council, has been appointed to chair the committee planning the grand opening ceremonies for the new airport.
According to Rowe: “The opening of this airport is going to be a game-changer for Northwest Florida.” Rowe has set a goal of raising $450,000 for the festivities.
According to The News Herald report:
The Airport Authority board has voted to move forward on a four-day gala to celebrate the opening of the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, but board members are still declining to pay for it, insisting the money should come from corporate sponsors…
What remains will be funding efforts targeting sponsorships from outside companies, organizations and individuals; in-kind contributions to off-set costs; and ticket sales to a “green-tie” dinner scheduled for Friday, May 21.
Tickets for the dinner will go for $1,250 per 10-person table, with individual tickets selling for $125. The first day of operations for the new $318 million airport is set for May 23.
 

Paula

Beach Fanatic
Jan 25, 2005
3,747
442
Michigan but someday in SoWal as well
Now that I've finished crying because Southwest did not decide to offer direct flights from Detroit, I've looked to other solutions. Southwest has connecting flights from Detroit through Nashville or Baltimore to the new airport, and both are cheaper than other flights into Panama City or Fort Walton Beach. They take about the same amount of time as well. And I assume Southwest will have sales as well. So, even if we haven't gotten rid of the layover from the midwest to SoWal, at least flights look like they'll be cheaper. And that makes me very happy. A direct flight would make be ecstatic.
 
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