26-16_South_Airfield_Tunnel_-_Construction.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- 26-045-ITB
- Issued by
- Kenton County, Kentucky
About this file
This document is a project charter and procurement notice for the Kenton County Airport Board (KCAB), operator of Cincinnati's CVG Airport, concerning the Runway 18L/36R Tunnel Rehabilitation & Safety Improvements project. The South Airfield Tunnel requires comprehensive rehabilitation addressing structural deficiencies, water infiltration, corroded electrical and lighting systems, inadequate life/safety systems, and damaged pavement. The scope of work includes full replacement of electrical and lighting systems, rehabilitation of the ventilation system to current standards, pavement repair throughout the tunnel, fire protection system repairs, and enhanced water mitigation systems. A mandatory pre-proposal meeting and site visit is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 1:00 pm at CVG Centre, 77 Comair Boulevard, Erlanger, Kentucky 41048. Written questions must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Monday, August 24, 2026, with answers to be posted no later than Friday, August 28, 2026 at 11:59 pm. Proposals are due by Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 2:00 pm, with no late submissions accepted unless extended by addendum. Construction is scheduled to begin in Q1 2027 following procurement completion.
The project was budgeted at $4.3 million for design and construction based on a 2023 assessment, with design services contracted to Palmer Engineering in 2025. Funding will be appropriated in Q3 2024 for design costs and Q1 2025 for construction costs, with final appropriation amounts to be determined based on available grant funding. The cost estimate carries 90 percent certainty. This project is critical to maintaining operational continuity for Runway 18L/36R, one of CVG's most-used runways essential for commercial and cargo operations, while providing vehicular access to the southern campus serving DHL, Amazon, FEAM, and other airport tenants. Delaying or failing to fund the project risks accelerated tunnel deterioration requiring eventual closure of the runway and significantly increased maintenance and reconstruction costs.
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Master Plan Alignment
Strategic Plan Alignment
Sustainability Benefits
**UPDATED** South Airfield Tunnel Rehabilitation - Construction PMWeb #1316
Current Situation/Background Information
An overall assessment was completed on the South Airfield Tunnel in 2023 and a final report was given to CVG in April 2024. It detailed critical repairs needed on the life/safety system, structural/drainage system, the electrical wiring and conduits, and an update to the lighting system to maintain the efficiency and safety of the tunnel. $4.3m in design and construction for repairs were identified in the assessment. Additional systems for repair were also determined, but are not immediate needs.
Water infiltration and deterioration of the tunnel continued to be observed by CVG maintenance. In 2025, CVG entered into an agreement with Palmer Engineering to provide design services for the rehabilitation of the tunnel.
Project Definition
Project Scope: The South Airfield Tunnel has structural and drainage deficiencies, corroded electrical and lighting systems that have reached the end of their lives, and a life/safety system that is not up to current standards. These repairs address the identified concerns.
Full replacement of the electrical and lighting systems, rehabilitation of the existing ventilation system and bring it up to current standards, repair damaged pavement throughout the tunnel, repair the fire protection systems, and enhance the water mitigation systems in the tunnel to prevent water accumulation.
Business Objectives: Return the South Airfield Tunnel to recommended operating conditions while extended life span of certain electrical systems.
The goal of this project is to rehabilitate the tunnel so that it remains operational for vehicular traffic to CVG's southern campus and to maintain its structural integrity to support air traffic on Runway 18L/36R.
Project Value/ROI: Reduced O&M due to in-depth repairs proposed and updating of existing electrical systems. Increased life span of overall tunnel components.
South Airfield Tunnel provides structural support to Runway 18L/36R. Capturing and diverting water away from the tunnel protects its structural integrity and ensures
Runway 18L/36R remains operational. This runway is one of our most used runways and is critical for commercial and cargo operations at CVG. In addition, the tunnel provides access for vehicular traffic to the southern campus. The southern campus is home to DHL, Amazon, FEAM, FBOs and CVG administrative staff.
Organizational Impact
Project Approach
Design and procurement in 2024 to increase bidder potential with repairs and updates coming in 2025.
The project will be bid in Q2 2026. Many MEP items have been identified as long-lead items which will delay the schedule if not acquired before construction begins.
Because of this, construction will be delayed until Q1 2027 so that the contractor can procure the equipment prior to construction start. This also prevents CVG from having the tunnel closed during 2026 holiday season.
Risk if Not Funded: If the project isn't funded the tunnel will deteriorate faster to the point of needing reconstruction. This would require shutting down Runway 18L-
36R during that time.
Strategic Plan 1, Fuel Performance via Operational Excellence and Master Plan Goal to Support/Enhance Commercial and Cargo Development:
Maintaining South Airfield Tunnel ensures the safety and health of passengers and employees. Commerical and cargo aircraft alike use Runway 18L/36R.
Employees use the tunnel for their daily commute to the southern campus.
Organizational Impact Justification
Completing this project ensures the continued development of the southern campus. Amazon, DHL and FEAM continue to expand. Other businesses will also be able to grow if we maintain South Airfield Tunnel.
Alternatives
Fund life/safety items and delay the electrical, structural/drainage, and lighting until a later date to fund other projects. This will create an increased cost to the overall project, create higher maintenance costs, and increase lighting and electrical safety concerns.
The alternatives to rehabilitating South Airfield Tunnel include maintaining status quo and performing continued maintenance/spot repair of the pavement as required. The tunnel lighting and electrical is in poor condition and parts are not readily available for repairs. This does not address the structural components, which is specialty work that CVG defers to contractors. Not maintaining the structure or life/safety systems could eventually result in closing the tunnel to prevent damage to people, aircraft and vehicles.
Related Projects
2Q 2026
2Q 2026
July 27, 2026
3Q 2026 (Construction)
3Q 2026 (Construction)
Notice to Proceed 1Q 2027 (Construction)
3Q 2027 (Construction)
Certainty of Cost Estimates
90% - an itemized cost estimate was created for this project
Construction Completion
Project Schedule
Appropriations Approval
Procurement Completion
Board Meeting
Business Unit Leader
Eric Rysdon
Director Engineering and Construction Management
Sponsor/Originator
Caleb Claxton
Sr. Project Manager
CAPEX/Grant
Project Funding
Cost
Approvals:
Larry Krauter
Chief Executive Officer
Dil Gruffydd
Chief Financial Officer
Executive Sponsor
Shannon Oldfield
Chief Operations Officer
Concurrence Leader
Bill Siemer
Vice President Planning and Development
Contract Finalization
Notice to Proceed (Administrative)
Known Risks & Limitations
Increased maintenance, closures and safety impact.
Traffic patterns will be phased to protect workers and pedestrians while construction is ongoing inside the tunnel through a single tube closure and maintaining two-way traffic or closing both tubes and detouring traffic.
Fund entirety of the design in 2024 Q3 Appropriations, with construction appropriations in Q1 2025 for the life/safety, structural/drainage system, and electrical and updated lighting system.
Proceed with construction of this project.
Recommendation
The project has been approved to put out to bid as scheduled, however additional meetings will be held to determine final amount that will be appropriated based on available grant funding and timeline.
Eric Rysdon (Apr 14, 2026 15:39:20 EDT) Eric Rysdon
Shannon R. Oldfield (Apr 15, 2026 09:15:10 EDT) Shannon R. Oldfield
Dilwyn Gruffydd (Apr 16, 2026 11:43:26 EDT)
Larry Krauter (May 23, 2026 15:02:30 EDT) https://cvgairport.na2.adobesign.com/verifier?tx=CBJCHBCAABAAtRRyncijXJluUWtIB19894Csa9UzK9PG https://cvgairport.na2.adobesign.com/verifier?tx=CBJCHBCAABAAtRRyncijXJluUWtIB19894Csa9UzK9PG https://cvgairport.na2.adobesign.com/verifier?tx=CBJCHBCAABAAtRRyncijXJluUWtIB19894Csa9UzK9PG https://cvgairport.na2.adobesign.com/verifier?tx=CBJCHBCAABAAtRRyncijXJluUWtIB19894Csa9UzK9PG https://cvgairport.na2.adobesign.com/verifier?tx=CBJCHBCAABAAtRRyncijXJluUWtIB19894Csa9UzK9PG https://cvgairport.na2.adobesign.com/verifier?tx=CBJCHBCAABAAtRRyncijXJluUWtIB19894Csa9UzK9PG
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| 2026-05-27T17:58:59+0000 | |
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