Offutt Air Force Base Relocation
When the United States Air Force (USAF) decided it was time for an update at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska, a plan was initiated to temporarily relocate Air Force operations to the Lincoln Airport (LNK). This relocation required design accommodations totaling approximately $27 Million in project costs. As LNK’s on-call civil engineering consultant, Benesch assisted with the relocation and successfully delivered the project on time and within budget.
Initially, Offutt planned to have a partial slab replacement to repair the worst parts of their runway in Bellevue. However, it was determined that the runway needed a full slab replacement. That shifted the duration of the relocation from 12 to 18 months. Personnel quickly adjusted priorities to address the expanded timeframe and scope and assessed LNK infrastructure to determine what improvements and modifications would be required.
Construction ran for nearly 18 months, with improvements that included milling and paving 50 acres of parking apron on the west side of the airport. Benesch handled construction observation and quality acceptance material testing for the various project components.
Vertical work involved refurbishing a historic 98,270-square-foot aircraft maintenance hangar and constructing a 34,000-square-foot clamshell hangar made of aluminum beams and a fabric outer membrane. Additionally, two large 170-foot-long aircraft sliding gates were installed to allow the USAF aircraft to move from the airside to the landside for maintenance.
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Awards
- 2022, Engineering Excellence Merit Award, American Council of Engineering Companies - Nebraska