Don Christian, Killeen
Director of Aviation
Joint Use at Fort Hood’s Robert Gray Army Airfield is off the ground. The planning and coordination phase for this effort began in mid-1997, and the last four years witnessed the completion of feasibility studies, an environmental assessment, a joint use agreement and lease, along with numerous planning and program activities. Construction officially kicked off October 30, 2000, with the project’s groundbreaking ceremony at Robert Gray: a benchmark event for Central Texas, and a welcome moment for the City and Fort Hood staff who labored to ‘get there’.
The City of Killeen will be moving airline operations from Killeen Municipal Airport to Robert Gray as part of the joint use agreement with the Army. This move provides access to a 10,000 foot runway, continuous air traffic control services and other immediate and long term benefits.
Relocating to a facility with a longer runway allows growth to larger turboprop and jet aircraft, relieves significant passenger and cargo weight limitations now imposed on the airlines at Killeen Municipal, and adds much needed end-of-runway safety areas.
This $53,000,000 project is necessary to accommodate the growing number of airline passengers from Killeen, Fort Hood and surrounding communities. Enplanements over the past four years have increased by 30 percent – well above the national average. Three airlines currently serve the market and passenger growth is expected to increase from the current 98,000 enplanements per year to an estimated 200,000 by the year 2010.
The project involves building a new terminal building, aircraft parking apron, east side parallel taxiway, fuel farm and vehicle parking facilities. Major roadway improvements will ensure direct, four-lane access to the site; the Texas Department of Transportation has approved funding for these new roads.
Construction at Robert Gray is phased and is planned to be completed by Fall 2003. The first phase under construction is an east parallel taxiway along Gray’s l 0,000-foot runway. Successive construction contracts for terminal site grading and utilities, apron construction and tie-ins, and the terminal itself will be awarded within the year.
And Robert Gray Army Airfield is receiving attention from its military owners as well. As part of an ongoing national program to upgrade military deployment facilities, the Notice to Proceed for a $30 million facelift to the airfield infrastructure was inked in November 2000. These projects are estimated to be complete within two years, well within the civilian-side construction cycle. Included are a new control tower, ARFF facility, military loading aprons and servicing facilities.
The partnership between Fort Hood and the Central Texas is solid. A joint Fort Hood and City of Killeen team authored the 50 year lease governing the project and established a Joint Management Board to manage operations at the new facility. The Joint Management Board is comprised of four members: Fort Hood’s 10
Garrison Commander and Aviation Officer, and Killeen’s city manager and director of Aviation. The Board alternates its chair annually, meets bi-monthly, and has just entered its second year.
This is a regional, intermodal transportation project involving both airport and roadway elements. The project not only supports the growing aviation needs of the community but the roadway improvements will also enhance industrial development opportunities. Over 30 Central Texas cities, counties and chambers of commerce have passed resolutions in support of this project.
The Central Texas/Fort Hood area is a dynamic, growing community and this project will allow airline operations to keep pace with community needs and provide area citizens with top quality air transportation services.
