Lighting and Navigational Aid Upgrades Enhance Operational Efficiency at Nebraska Airport

GRAND ISLAND, NE— A comprehensive overhaul of the owner-maintained airfield lighting and navigational aid systems at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport (GRI) has brought significant improvements to the safety, efficiency and reliability of the airport’s operations. Named 2024 Project of the Year by the Nebraska Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics, the project modernized aging infrastructure while keeping the airport fully operational to commercial service and general aviation operations.

Most of GRI’s lighting infrastructure was over 20 years old, with maintenance becoming costly and an increasing burden on airport operations personnel. To address these challenges, the project replaced all runway and taxiway lighting on Runway 17/35, Runway 13/31 and associated taxiways with modern, energy-efficient LED equipment. New airfield guidance signs were also installed to improve visibility and navigation. Benesch delivered all services, from design through construction, using in-house staff.

Additional upgrades included the installation of a new LED Precision Approach Path Indicator-4L on Runway 35, a new LED rotating beacon with a tip-down pole and a reorganized electrical circuit system designed to enhance safety and maintenance efficiency. The electrical vault and Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) also saw major improvements, with all regulators replaced and reorganized using L-829 current monitoring constant current regulators. Finally, the airport’s aging L-821 lighting control system was upgraded with a modern “mimic” system, ensuring more reliable control of airfield lighting from both the ATCT and electrical vault.

The project’s complexity required a strategic approach to keep the airport functional while delivering significant infrastructure improvements. The upgrades were carried out in six major phases with additional sub-phases to ensure minimal disruption to daily commercial service and general aviation operations.

With these improvements, the Central Nebraska Regional Airport is now equipped with a state-of-the-art airfield lighting system that enhances visibility, reduces maintenance costs and ensures long-term reliability for pilots, airport personnel and travelers.

The award was presented by Nebraska DOT – Division of Aeronautics at the Nebraska Aviation Council’s annual symposium on January 30.