Blue Grass Airport

FAYETTE COUNTY, KY

AVIATION

Palmer Engineering has supported Blue Grass Airport through both long-range planning and targeted infrastructure improvements. As part of an update to the airport’s Master Plan Study, Palmer assisted the prime consultant with landside analysis and facility requirements, contributing to planning efforts for airport facilities, terminal areas, utilities, land use, and access. The team also conducted 24-hour traffic counts at the terminal and adjacent roadways, coordinated the analysis with commercial flight schedules to identify peak traffic conditions, and evaluated existing wayfinding signage to provide recommendations for future terminal roadway improvements.

Palmer also evaluated pavement and stormwater systems at four T-Hangar sites, identifying rehabilitation strategies based on existing pavement conditions and recommending targeted drainage improvements. The evaluation resulted in repair recommendations and cost estimates to help the Airport Board plan for future improvements.

Once funding was secured, Palmer moved quickly from evaluation to implementation, developing construction plans for the T-Hangar pavement and drainage improvements and submitting them to the Blue Grass Airport Board within two weeks of the request. Together, these efforts demonstrate Palmer’s ability to support airport clients from planning and analysis through design and implementation.

Before Rehabilitation

After Rehabilitation

Unique Aspects

Opportunities

Planning for Future Airport Needs: The Master Plan Study provided an opportunity to evaluate existing facilities and help plan for future airport and landside infrastructure needs.
Improving Landside Access and Wayfinding: Traffic counts, peak-period analysis, and an inventory of existing wayfinding signage helped identify opportunities for future terminal roadway and signage improvements.
Extending Pavement Performance: Evaluations at four T-Hangar sites identified pavement rehabilitation strategies and targeted drainage improvements to help maintain the existing facilities.
Challenges

Understanding Peak Traffic Conditions: Traffic analysis had to account for the airport’s commercial flight schedule to accurately evaluate terminal-area and adjacent roadway conditions during peak periods.
Addressing Varying Pavement Conditions: Rehabilitation needs differed across the T-Hangar sites, requiring removal depths ranging from 1.5 to 4 inches along with crack cleaning, sealing, and asphalt replacement.
Working Within Existing Drainage Infrastructure: Evaluation of the stormwater system identified specific deficiencies, including brick elevation adjustment rings and an 8-inch PVC pipe outlet requiring improvements.
Successes

Supporting Comprehensive Airport Planning: Palmer contributed landside analysis and facility requirements to a Master Plan Study encompassing airport layout, terminal, land use, property, utility, access, and other planning elements.
Developing Targeted Rehabilitation Solutions: The pavement and drainage evaluation resulted in specific repair recommendations and cost estimates to help the Airport Board plan improvements.
Responding Quickly When Funding Became Available: Once funding was secured for the T-Hangar improvements, Palmer developed and submitted construction plans to the Blue Grass Airport Board within two weeks of the request.