Generators
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Construction is underway for Standby Power Generators for airfield and terminal operations. The Sugar Land Regional Airport is the first non-commercial airport in Texas to be granted federal funding for this purpose. The importance of the airport has proven during the evacuation of Galveston and the greater Houston area during the past several hurricane seasons. In the aftermath of a major hurricane, the airport will also be critical for the coordination conveyance of emergency personnel and supplies. The installation of generators is scheduled to be completed in May 2010.
Taxilane "J"
- Engineering has been completed on a new east-west taxilane that will be constructed parallel to Taxiway “H”, and to the north. The project is estimated at $11 million, will take two years to construct and is scheduled to begin construction in 2010. It will provide the airport with seven leasable corporate hangar sites, for hangars ranging in size from 120’ x 120’ to 150’ x 250’. The airport maintains a waiting list for aviation departments interested in relocating to Sugar Land.
T-Hangar Complex
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Ninety nine T-hangars are now in use at the Sugar Land Regional Airport. The completion of this premier 60-acre facility marks the culmination of nine years’ work. Project planning began in 2000. Sixty-six acres of land were purchased in 2001. As a trade for three affected acres of wetlands, in 2003, thirty acres of farmland were restored back to wetlands at the entrance to the Brazos Bend State Park. Two taxiway bridges (likely the only ones in the US) over existing ponds were completed in 2006, along with drainage work, and substantial earthwork (the entire site was raised an average of three feet to allow connection to the existing taxiway and runway system at the airport). Over 15 acres of concrete apron, the extension of the airport perimeter road, new automobile parking, landscaping, decorative fencing, retaining walls at the water’s edge, and airfield and roadway lighting were completed in 2008. Construction began on the T-hangars in April 2008. There are six separate banks comprising 99 nested t-hangars with electric bi-fold doors. The pilot area is outfitted with the first-class finishes that Sugar Land is known for, includes a break area, lounge seating, flight planning area and restroom with shower. In addition, the airport has built a self-service fueling station within the complex, which is open to the flying public, providing self-serve fuel at a discount. Full-service fueling will still be available.
The total project cost, including the T-hangars, represents over $24.5 million: $17 million in state grant funding (funds come from airport user fees, not tax dollars) and $7.5 million from airport revenues & bond sales. It is, to date, the largest project even undertaken by TxDOT Aviation.
