The Airport's approved Capital Improvement Program includes projects for the Relocation of Taxiway G and the Overlay of 2,000 feet at the end of Runway 10L.  The existing Taxiway G is actually a portion of the decommissioned Runway 16/34 and is not perpendicular to our main Runway 10L/28R, which makes exiting the runway onto existing Taxiway G difficult for aircraft landing from the east.  Additionally, the south end of this taxiway is part of an intersection formed by Taxiway G, Taxiway A, and Runway 7/25.  This intersection has been noted by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Runway Safety Action Team as a dangerous intersection and recommended Taxiway G be relocated.  The new Taxiway G will be constructed to the west of existing Taxiway G, out of the intersection of Taxiway A and Runway 7/25, and will be perpendicular to Runway 10L/28R.  If funding is available, the project will also include repaving the west 2,000 feet of Runway 10L and the installation of the FAA required surface painted Hold Sign markings for the asphalt taxiways. The funding for the runway overlay and painting projects are dependent on Congress authorizing additional Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant funds by either finalizing a FAA funding bill or by passing additional continuing resolutions which allow additional grant funds to be released. 

This project was advertised in the Billings Times on March 10, 17, and 24, and posted on the City's Web site, and bids were received on March 29, 2011.  Staff would like to postpone the award of the contract from the April 11, 2011 meeting until the April 25, 2011 City Council meeting to allow additional time to review the bids received and to review the Federal funding available for these projects.

The City Council may:

• Approve the postponement of the award for the Taxiway G Relocation and Runway Overlay projects from the April 11, 2011 City Council meeting until the April 23, 2011 City Council meeting; or
• Decline to approve the postponement of the award for the Taxiway G Relocation and Runway Overlay projects until the April 25, 2011 City Council meeting and reject all bids.

The total cost of this project is estimated to be $3,130,988.  95% of that amount would normally be from an FAA AIP entitlement grant and a 5% ($156,550) local match.  Local match funds are budgeted and available in the Airport's Capital account.

Staff recommends that the City Council  postpone the approval of the award of the AIP funded Taxiway G Relocation and Runway Overlay projects from the April 11, 2011 City Council meeting until the April 25, 2011 City Council meeting, providing staff additional time to review the bids and Federal funding available for these projects.