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R/W 6-24 Program
The Erie Regional Airport Authority (ERAA) is extending Runway 6-24 at Tom Ridge Field in Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania.  This extension will begin at the eastern end of Runway 6-24 and extend for 1,920 feet crossing Powell Avenue.

Powell Avenue (ST 0299) is a north-south roadway currently located at the eastern edge of the airport property and will be relocated to accommodate extending the runway.  The approximate limits of the relocation are from West 20th Street northwardly and eastwardly to Marshall Drive near its intersection of West 12th Street (State Road 5).  The length of the relocation is approximately 5,300 feet.

In addition, this project includes drainage conveyance and storm water management area improvements, traffic control during construction, signage and pavement markings, wetland relocation and construction of an off-site mitigation area, a new dam, utility coordination and relocations including water, sewer, electric, telephone and gas, and removal of obstructions.
 
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

The Erie Regional Airport Authority (ERAA), at the Erie International Airport, Tom Ridge Field is a recipient of federal funds and has signed grant assurances that it will comply with the Department of Transportation Title 49 CFR Part 26 of the United States Code in accordance with the development and implementation of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Plan.

This DBE Plan meets the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements and incorporates Erie Regional Airport Authority’s commitment to diversify and strives to increase DBE participation in bidding and contracting opportunities provided during the Runway 6-24 Improvement Program at Erie International Airport, Tom Ridge Field.  Comprehensive actions toward this goal include but are not limited to:

  1. An aggressive recruiting campaign
  2. More access to large contracts by unbinding them
  3. Technical assistance with overcoming limitations
  4. Assistance with the certification process
  5. Supportive services

Business Development Strategy

To ensure greater participation and to optimize our ability to reach our goals, this plan includes a Business Development strategy designed to increase the efficiency of collaboration between DBEs, Prime Consultants and Contractors while taking into account both race neutral and good faith efforts.

The Business Development component of the Plan is unique because it goes one step further than the traditional Disadvantaged Business effort to implement strategies that emphasizes Mentor/Protégé relationships.  A mentor/protégé relationship is a proven strategy within successful business practice and is essential because of the guidance mentors are able to provide based on experience, thus decreasing learning time and improving the curve for success

Race neutral and Race Conscious Efforts

While race neutral efforts will be made to increase diversity in DBE participation within the Runway 6-24 Airport Improvement Program, historically these efforts have produced minimal results within the Erie region.  In order to reverse that trend, the plan incorporates some race conscious measures to better appeal to under-utilized DBE firms.

Race conscious efforts allow for a collaborative approach with organizations representing underprivileged individuals and emerging businesses to meet the maximum feasible portion of the overall DBE goal.  Race conscious efforts concentrate on support services and the long term business management for potential DBEs.

Good Faith Efforts

Typically, the US DOT allows that a sponsor and it’s consultants and contractors demonstrate a Good Faith Effort toward the utilization of a DBE.  This demonstration is generally accepted as the minimum practice.

With regard to the ERAA Runway 6-24 Program, the Good Faith Effort requirement will be factored in as the minimum standard as the overall DBE goal is established at 16% for participation.  Additionally, the DBE implementation plan strongly encourages contractors to match the overall goal of 16% DBE participation with a 16% target for minority employment over the life of the ERAA Runway 6-24 Program.  This could be accomplished with the development and implementation of a Work Force Initiative Plan and a Project Labor Agreement.

Overall Goal

An objective of this DBE Implementation Plan is to ensure that the economic impact of this project benefits a diverse segments of the qualified consultant and contractor community.  Accordingly, the ERAA, using a federally-established formula under the CFR Part 26.55b ERAA has established an overall goal of 16% DBE participation for the entire program including design, land acquisition and construction.

The ERAA Runway 6-24 Program is the largest capital improvement program in the history of the ERAA and has an estimated cost of $83.1 million.  It is currently the largest improvement program in the entire region.  Beginning with demolition activity in 2009, which has 25% as the participation level and exceeding the 16% goal: the estimated DBE participation amount could approximate 9.0 million when considering the remaining components of the project.

Summarily, the overall significance of this capital improvement program to the safety and growth of Erie International Airport, Tom Ridge Field should not be underestimated; therefore the implementation of this DBE Plan is critical to its successful completion.
 


::Erie Runway Improvement Project 2010 | Erie Regional Airport Authority - ERAA::
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