Construction underway for a new taxiway in Houston, facilitating growth in the aerospace sector.
The Houston City Council has approved a $20 million contract for constructing a new taxiway that connects the Houston Spaceport to Ellington Airport. This project, known as Taxiway L, will span 2 miles and is expected to break ground in August or September, with plans for completion around 2026. Funded through the Airports Improvement Fund, the taxiway aims to boost regional economic development and enhance logistics for international deliveries, furthering growth at both the Spaceport and airport.
The Houston City Council has unanimously approved a $20 million contract for the construction of a new taxiway that will connect the Houston Spaceport to Ellington Airport. The decision was made during a council meeting on May 28, where no comments were made by council members regarding the ordinance.
The construction of the taxiway, known as Taxiway L or Taxiway Lima, will cover a distance of 2 miles and will be managed by Texas Sterling-Banicki JV LLC. The project is expected to break ground in August or September 2024 and aims for completion around 2026. The total duration for the contract is estimated to be 640 days.
Funding for the taxiway project will come from the city’s Airports Improvement Fund. Notably, the city had previously committed $16 million for the first phase of the project during a meeting held on March 6. The construction of the taxiway will occur in three phases, with Phase 1 focusing on the design and construction of the taxiway and one runway connector. Portions of the funding for this initial phase may be reimbursable through Federal Aviation Administration grants.
According to Jim Szczesniak, the director of aviation for the city of Houston, this project is expected to serve as a catalyst for economic development in the region. The Houston Spaceport and Ellington Airport currently support more than 8,550 jobs and generate an estimated $2 billion in economic output annually. This new taxiway will enhance logistics for international deliveries and increase air traffic at Ellington Airport, providing further opportunities for growth.
The Houston Spaceport has established itself as a key location for aerospace innovation and development. It currently hosts a number of prominent companies including Collins Aerospace, Intuitive Machines, and Axiom Space. Axiom Space is notably engaged in assembling the world’s first commercial space station on-site, emphasizing the significance of the spaceport in advancing commercial space endeavors.
The improvements initiated through the construction of the taxiway are anticipated to further facilitate growth and attract additional investment at the Houston Spaceport. As economic activity continues to flourish in this area, the project aligns with the broader goals of expanding air traffic capabilities and bolstering logistical operations at Ellington Airport.
The approval of this taxiway construction marks a pivotal moment for Houston’s transportation infrastructure, supporting both local job creation and the prospective establishment of a robust commercial space industry in the city.
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