New C.R. airport walkway needs repairs

CEDAR RAPIDS - Structural problems have developed along a new multimillion-dollar covered walkway at The Eastern Iowa Airport.

Airport Director Dan Mann said water apparently seeped into two of 31 concrete and steel pillars that support the roof of the walkway, causing them to expand. That caused the concrete to crack, popping off some limestone veneer facing.

The walkway links the passenger terminal with the short- and long-term airport parking lots. The base of each pillar is covered with limestone veneer to blend it with other structures at the airport.

Tricon General Construction of Dubuque was awarded a $3.2 million contract in July 2007 by the Cedar Rapids Airport Commission to build the first phase of the walkway and a new parking lot revenue building. Kleiman Construction of Cedar Rapids was awarded a $437,000 contract in March 2008 for the second phase of the walkway.

The project was completed and opened to the public in late 2008.

Howard R. Green Co. of Cedar Rapids was the engineering firm handling the design of the walkway and supervision of the project.

At the company's request, the airport secured an independent evaluation by Reigstad & Associates, a consulting engineering firm from St. Paul, Minn. In a letter to Sara Mau, airport operations director, Reigstad stated that design and construction defects are involved.

Cedar Rapids City Attorney James Flitz notified Howard R. Green Co. and Tricon General Construction of Reigstad's opinion in a July 27 letter and asked the companies to submit a plan in writing to correct the problem by Aug. 15.

Gil Janes, an engineer with Howard R. Green Co., confirmed that his company has rejected Reigstad's opinion that there were design flaws with the walkway. Janes declined further comment.

Mann said Tricon General Construction has agreed to fix the two pillars that have visible damage and is expected to submit a work schedule this week. The project is still within the contract's warranty period and there should be no cost to the airport.

“I know this fixes the two pillars in question, but in the long term I'm concerned that this will happen again,” Mann said. “Once it's out of warranty, it's on our tab.

“Obviously we will work with Howard R. Green Co. for a better answer. We have a financial obligation to do our due diligence and make sure this has been designed correctly.”

Airport operating revenue paid for the walkway. The revenue comes from fees charged to the airlines for takeoffs and landings, rental of space in the passenger terminal, a passenger facility charge, and income from car rental, beverages, food and parking.

The airport does not receive any city or county property tax revenue. It does receive federal funding for certain infrastructure projects, such as runways or taxiways.

--By George Ford