HDR to lead civil design improvements at five South Florida airports

Omaha, Neb. — Miami-Dade Aviation Department selected HDR to provide civil engineering services for its complex five-airport system — including Miami International, the 12th busiest airport in the country — on a five-year task-order contract to support an estimated $1.5 billion in capital improvements. Among the planned improvements are rehabilitation of runways, and upgrades to aprons, taxiways, and underground utilities. HDR will also design federally funded airfield safety enhancements at each airport as well as airside accommodations for today’s larger aircraft.

Rising demand for aviation services in South Florida initiated MDAD’s five-year capital improvement program and includes all five of its airports. Miami International Airport, which is No. 1 in the country for international freight and No. 2 for international passengers, represents the largest of the five airports. HDR will also design improvements for four general aviation airports. They include Miami Opa Locka Executive, which is home to the largest U.S. Coast Guard air/sea rescue station, and Miami Executive Airport, which is among the fastest growing executive airports in the country.

Across all projects, HDR’s civil design team will apply resilience considerations, taking into account the impacts of sea level rise and rising ground water tables, which will alter placement of utilities and drive innovative stormwater systems.

“We’re excited to partner with MDAD to deliver these system-wide capital improvements,” said HDR East Region Aviation Manager Tim Fish. “These projects will help accommodate the fleet changes airports are seeing right now, especially from international operators, and lay the groundwork for planned terminal expansions and modernizations.”

“Our combination of a strong local team and national aviation expertise will foster innovative outcomes that help MDAD stay competitive in the global market and strengthen the communities served by these airports,” HDR Aviation Director Bill Peduzzi said. “We’re extremely thankful for this long-term partnership and excited about the great things it will make possible.”