By Ella Chabot-Remington
SEBASTIAN — By a unanimous vote, the Sebastian City Council awarded a construction services contract to H & D Construction for the Access Road East project at the Sebastian Airport. The contract is not to exceed $468,456.
The City of Sebastian accepted an FDOT grant in 2005 to design and build an airport access road. In 2006, the location of the road project was moved, with approval from the FDOT, from the west to the east side of the airport by the airport director in agreement with the city manager. The decision to move the project’s location was made to prevent development in the area of Roseland Road and to save funds related to storm water requirements. Airport development was a third consideration.
The road project is located adjacent to the Airport Administration Building. The project will serve “the economic development of the airport,” according to Airport Manager Joe Griffin, who address the council about the matter.
The location of the project is geared to maximize the New Airport Administration Building as a center of development.
Griffin said that the council approved in September 2008 an FAA Airport Improvement Program planning grant that provided some of the funding for the Access Road East design.
The project involves construction of an extension of 900 feet of roadway and two access drives, totaling 500 feet. Water, sewer, and electrical infrastructures are also included, as well as storm water facilities. The end of the old runway will be re-asphalted and two automatic security gates will be installed.
Six construction companies submitted bids for the project. H & D was the preferred bidder due to the company’s price and previous work on City of Sebastian projects. H&D was involved in the Main Street Project, among others. The company is based in Fort Pierce and has operated for eight years.
