Featured Projects
Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Air Traffic Control Tower
WisDOT, Bureau of Aeronautics
A dedication ceremony was held on Friday, August 1, for the new Wittman Regional Airport air traffic control tower which opened its doors just in time for AirVenture 2008. Representatives from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Winnebago County and Wittman Regional Airport were present, as well as design engineers, construction staff and Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics project managers.
The new $5.6 million tower takes residence in the middle of the airport, replacing the outdated 45-year-old facility that was beginning to fail structurally. At twice the height, the new facility is 141 feet from the ground to the top of the roof antenna. The cab is a spacious 525 square feet (60% larger than the old cab) and offers an unobstructed view of all air and ground operations. For the controllers monitoring AirVenture traffic, it truly is a bird’s eye view.
A facility of this magnitude does not go up overnight. Planning and design of the new tower began 10 years ago in 1998 when OMNNI Associates was asked to conduct a study of the condition of the existing control tower. Due to age and safety concerns, recommendations were made to design and build a new tower.
In 2004, a site was chosen approximately 450 feet west of the existing control tower. After new regulations were published, a siting study was completed and a new site was chosen for the tower in 2005. OMNNI completed design of the tower on the new site. Construction of the tower began in spring of 2007 and was completed in time for AirVenture 2008.
The new tower shaft is constructed of pre-cast concrete wall panels and the cab is constructed of steel framing and aluminum windows. The base building is approximately 3,800 square feet and includes offices, break/training areas, maintenance and utility space. The tower's shaft includes an elevator and stair well for access between the ground facility and the cab, as well as intermediate levels containing mechanical equipment and support facilities for the cab. The cab is equipped for 7 controller positions plus one supervisor, and is furnished with the latest in computer and communications equipment to aid the controllers and increase airport safety.
Runway 9/27 Reconstruction
WisDOT, Bureau of Aeronautics
OMNNI provided design and construction administration for the reconstruction of 4,647 feet of Runway 9/27. The project included pulverizing the existing asphalt pavement, paving the runway with 11” of concrete, and installation of all new storm sewer and underdrains to help correct drainage problems. Since the airport is home to the EAA AirVenture and aircraft are required to exit the runway at virtually all locations, landscaping and safety area grading were required to meet stringent specifications.
The project was awarded the 2007 Outstanding Airport Construction Award by the WisDOT, Bureau of Aeronautics.