Over $110 million is being invested in tunnel and road construction to provide public access to the infield area east of new Runway 17/35 and to provide a more direct, safe access to the two terminals for airport maintenance and tenants.
The 17/35 Tunnel ($24 million) runs directly under the new runway and taxiway system. It provides public access to the FedEx and UPS facilities. It also provides access to the de-icing fluid reclamation center and the Federal Aviation Administration transmitting facility. The tunnel is accessed via Cargo Road from Longfellow Avenue just north of the Champion hangar. The tunnel is 1,300 feet long, has two lanes in each direction and was opened to the public in September 2002.
The Y-3 Tunnel (approx $12 million) is located under Taxiway Y near the new FedEx/UPS cargo ramp, opened in January 2003. The tunnel provides public access via Cargo Road to the new Federal Express facility and the future Belly Cargo Facility.
The W/Y Tunnel, (approx $14 million) located near the approach end of Runway 12R, sits entirely inside the secured area of the airport. The tunnel provides access under Taxiway W to allow airline and field maintenance vehicles to access the north end of the runways without crossing aircraft movement areas.
Construction of the $55 million Runway 4/22 Tunnel began in fall 2004. The tunnel will provide a direct route for airfield ground transportation and emergency vehicles to pass from the southeast side of the airfield to the northwest side without crossing runways and taxiways. The 4/22 Tunnel is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2006.
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