Constructing airports is all about connecting people together.
Nabholz knew this when we were contracted to construct a new terminal for the Columbia Regional Airport – and that’s why we involved the community as much as possible during the project.
As the community grows, we want the airport to be able to grow with it. The original terminal was built in 1968 and required improvements and expansion to match Columbia’s needs. The new terminal has three gates and a single baggage claim area with room for future additions.
Nabholz also included community feedback during construction. Throughout the project, we offered public tours for the community to visit the construction site and offer feedback. Community opinion was important to constructing a functioning facility that was practical and felt like it was theirs.
Flexibility was another important aspect. Our team had to be flexible on what materials were used and the project schedule thanks to delays and shortages during the pandemic. We worked closely with the design team to ensure that we could acquire the necessary materials on time and within budget. The original design called for bar joists to construct the roofing, but rising material prices and longer lead times made that choice less effective. Instead, our construction team and the design team shifted gears to redesign the roof using standard steel beams that were more accessible.
Electrical gear was another difficulty with lead times of up to a year and a half. To keep on schedule, the team continued to use existing panels during construction and switch them out when the new panels arrived.
This flexibility combined with close communication between the designer and the community allowed Nabholz to complete construction a month earlier than expected. Now, the Columbia Regional Airport can continue operations as usual to be a reliable travel hub for Columbia.
Learn more about the Columbia Regional Airport project here.
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